Another former LafargeHolcim CEO charged with financing jihadist groups in Syria
Paris — Former LafargeHolcim CEO Eric Olsen was charged late on Thursday as part of a probe into the alleged indirect financing of jihadist groups in Syria, a judicial source said. Olsen, who became CEO in 2015 when France’s Lafarge merged with Swiss group Holcim, is charged with "financing of a terrorist organisation" and "endangering the lives of others", the source said. Lafarge is accused of paying the Islamic State (IS) group and other militants through a middleman so the company’s factory in Jalabiya, northern Syria, could continue to operate in a war zone. Olsen, who was also placed under judicial supervision, had been taken in for questioning on Wednesday over the allegations, along with another former CEO, Bruno Lafont, and former deputy MD for operations Christian Herrault. Lafont and Herrault are still being held. Three former officials at the Jalabiya factory were charged in the case last week. Herrault told investigators earlier this year that "either you agreed to the ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.