Lafarge to stand trial in France over terror financing case

Cement group Lafarge has been ordered to face trial in France on charges of financing jihadist terrorism by continuing to operate a cement factory in Syria until 2014, sources close to the case told on Wednesday.

Eight individuals, including former CEO Bruno Lafont, will also face the same charges. They are accused of having "organised, validated, facilitated or implemented a policy presuming to send financing to terrorist organisations established around the cement factory" in the Syrian town of Jalabiya, according to the referral. Defence lawyers for the company and the defendants declined to comment or could not be reached.