After a first week dedicated to examining the decision-making circuit of the Lafarge group – to understand how decisions were taken to maintain its factory activities in Syria in the midst of the civil war between 2012 and 2014 – the cement factory trial opened, on Monday 24 November, a new chapter, this time devoted to the core of the offenses assessed: the “financing of terrorist groups” involved in these decisions.
During the first week of debates, former managers of the group and its Syrian subsidiary, Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS), tried to explain how the cement producer became the last French company still active in the country, at the end of 2012. “There was a belief that the war would not last longBruno Pescheux, former director of the Jalabiya cement factory, confirmed himself on Friday. This crisis is a tunnel, everyone told us that we would see the light. But the light never came…”
On the question of “why”, the former leaders who took turns wearing gray suits at the Paris criminal court remained in agreement. But this beautiful unanimity breaks down when it comes to deciding their responsibilities. Bruno Pescheux later asserted that “ concession » what must be done in the field to keep the factory running is ” gave in to blackmail » armed group, has received approval from its leadership, in this case ” Mr. Herrault, (he) straight away boss “.
“I gave all the information to Mr. Lafont”
Former deputy director general of operations at Lafarge in charge of Syria, Christian Herrault found himself in a difficult position at the hearing. Designated by his N-1, he was also appointed by his N+1, Bruno Lafont, former CEO of the group: “ If the information that the factory had to close had been of concern to me, I would have supported the closure.. I believe what Mr. Herrault told me. But this request never came back to me… » But when his turn came, Mr Herrault contradicted his former boss: “ I provided Mr. Lafont with all relevant information, including regarding our relationship with ISIS. »
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