LafargeHolcim managers investigated over Syria payments
Proceedings have begun in France against three managers of cement making giant LafargeHolcim in relation to allegations that the company had financial links with jihadists in Syria. The trio appeared before a magistrate in Paris on Friday who has initiated an investigation into allegations of "financing a terrorist enterprise" and "endangering the lives of others", according to the Swiss news agency. They stand accused of facilitating payments to people with links to the Islamic State group between 2013 and 2014, which allowed a Lafarge plant in Syria to stay in operation. Lafarge merged with Swiss-based company Holcim in 2015 to create the world’s largest cement producer. Lafarge is also accused of buying oil from IS in Syria, violating a EU oil embargo against Syria, which has been in force since autumn 2011. LagfargeHolcim declined to comment on the latest development, but the company has conducted its own investigation into the allegations. It concluded that payments had ...