French Cement Giant Lafarge Faces 2026 Verdict in ISIS Terror Trial

A Paris court will deliver its verdict in April 2026 for French cement company Lafarge. The firm is accused of financing terror during Syria's civil war. The six-week trial ended on Wednesday. Judges heard final arguments from the defendants. Lafarge and eight former executives face charges of financing a terrorist organization and endangering lives. Prosecutors allege the company paid nearly 13 million euros to ISIS and other armed groups. The payments were made between 2013 and 2014 to keep a cement plant in northern Syria operational. The company also is accused of using false accounting to hide the payments. Lafarge admits to the payments but denies the terror financing charge. The company's lawyers argue it was paying for protection to safeguard local employees. Lafarge merged with Swiss firm Holcim in 2015. This is the first time a major French corporation has been tried for complicity with crimes against humanity. The 2026 verdict could set a major legal precedent for corporate accountability in conflict zones.