A group of NGO representatives has sent a letter to Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan Kamran Aliyev, Head of the State Security Service Ali Naghiyev, Head of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy Orkhan Nazarli, and Chairman of the Board of the Financial Monitoring Service Zaur Fatizade regarding the activities of Lafarge, a company belonging to Switzerland’s Holcim Group, and its subsidiary, Lafarge Cement Syria, APA reports.
The letter expressed serious concern on behalf of several civil society and non-governmental organizations regarding documented allegations and court rulings related to the activities of the company and its subsidiary during the period of armed conflict.
It was noted that, according to available information, Lafarge continued operating its Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria between 2012 and 2014 despite the rapidly deteriorating security situation and the growing control of armed extremist groups in the region.
The letter stated that testimonies of former employees and court materials indicate that the company continued its commercial activities in circumstances where local workers faced severe threats, kidnappings, and acts of violence: “Serious evidence regarding the provision of financial and material support to groups such as ISIS, recognized internationally as a terrorist organization, in exchange for the continuation of commercial activities raises profound legal, ethical, and humanitarian concerns.
In October 2022, in a U.S. federal court, Lafarge and its Syrian subsidiary admitted to providing material support to foreign terrorist organizations. According to the court ruling, the company paid a total of $777.78 million in criminal penalties and forfeitures for making payments to ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front in order to continue operating its cement plant.
In addition, on April 13, 2026, the Paris Criminal Court found Lafarge and four of its former executives guilty of paying €5.5 million to terrorist groups in 2013–2014. The court imposed the maximum fine on the company and prison sentences on the former executives. Lafarge is currently under investigation for possible complicity in crimes against humanity.”
The appeal addressed to the relevant state bodies emphasized that, as stated in international investigations and court proceedings, these actions run contrary to international norms aimed at preventing corporate involvement in armed violence, terrorist financing, widespread abuses against civilians, and crimes against humanity.
“Considering the role of Holcim Azerbaijan as a significant industrial actor in the region, we believe that it bears the responsibility to adhere to the highest standards of transparency, human rights due diligence, and ethical business conduct. The company must demonstrate a clear and transparent commitment to international humanitarian law, anti-corruption standards, and the prevention of direct or indirect support to armed or sanctioned groups.
Taking the above into account, we request that transparent investigations be conducted into all activities of Holcim Azerbaijan, a subsidiary of the Holcim Group,” the appeal stated.
