France to investigate LafargeHolcim Syrian activities

France has launched a judicial inquiry into the Syrian activities of cement and construction group LafargeHolcim, a judicial source told Reuters on Tuesday, investigating "the financing of terrorist enterprise" and endangering lives.

The appointment of three investigating magistrates, two financial specialists and one specialised in anti-terrorism, follows the opening of a preliminary inquiry last October, the news agency reported.

The development does not necessarily mean any person or company will be brought to trial.
In April LafargeHolcim's Chief Executive, Eric Olsen, left after the company admitted it had paid armed groups to keep a factory operating in war-ravaged Syria.

An independent internal inquiry found protection payments made to intermediaries to keep open the Jalabiya plant in northern Syria were not in line with its policies.

LafargeHolcim said on Tuesday it had not been contacted by the French prosecutor's office but would cooperate with judicial authorities if it was requested to do so.