A French court's decision in the case of the Lafarge cement company allowed the company to be prosecuted for "complicity in crimes against humanity" because of its activities in Syria, while human rights activists described the move as courageous.
The Court of Cassation in Paris confirmed a previous decision to prosecute Lafarge on charges of financing terrorism and violating the embargo imposed on activities in Syria.
Last Tuesday, the French Court of Cassation annulled the decision of the Court of Appeal in Paris to nullify the accusation against Lafarge.
The company - now owned by Swiss Holcim - faced in a lawsuit, accusations of paying about 13 million euros - through its branch in Syria - to armed groups, including the Islamic State, and to intermediaries, to ensure the continuation of its branch during the war in Syria during 2013 and 2014. .
It is also suspected that the group sold cement to ISIS, and bought raw materials from armed factions, but the "Lafarge" branch in Syria denied any responsibility for the money reaching terrorist-designated organizations.
Commenting on the verdict, François Duroche, president of the "Justice and Rights Without Borders" association - one of the organizations that has been active in order to re-initiate the case - said that the decision opens the way for a second trial that takes into account the crime against humanity that does not have a statute of limitations, and described the court's decision as a courageous decision. A great victory for justice.