World Largest Cement Producer LaFarge Accused of Funding Terrorism (Part 1)

The Lafarge group, the world's largest cement producer, stands accused by NGO Sherpa of funding terrorism, according report published on France Info website. The French corporation kept a cement works in operation in Syria, at the risk of endangering its employees and funding the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (ISIL).

The Lafarge site in Syria is a cement works with a production capacity of 7,000 tonnes a day, and which cost 600 million euros.

Nine of the cement works' employees were kidnapped.

Jacob Waerness, a former police officer from Norwegian intelligence recruited by Lafarge to ensure the site's security, established contact with the kidnappers.

He feared the employees would be executed.

The negotiations lasted three weeks. Lafarge decided to pay up to secure their release.

Over 200,000 euros in cash were handed over to militias who claimed to belong to the Free Syrian Army.

Jacob Waerness recounted how he handed the money over to the militias. "We drove across the desert to the meeting point. It was around midnight. I had a group of rebels to protect me. We paid the ransom for the employees and they made off with it."

Norwegian Security Service Says Russian Espionage is the main threat

Norwegian Security Service (PST) released a statement saying that Russian espionage is the main threat for damaging Norway and Norwegian interests.

Norwegian daily newspaper Aftenposten reports that "according to Norwegian Security Service (PST), foreign intelligence services will continue their extensive work in and around Norway this year.

Foreign Intelligence objective is to gain access to sensitive information; influence political, economic, and administrative decisions; and investigate possibilities for sabotaging critical infrastructure in a potential future conflict".

"Russian Intelligence Services use every available means to spy" (Benedicte Bjornland, Chief of Norwegian Security Service)

Russia is mentioned as the country that could provide the greatest damage to Norwegian interests cause of its intentions and capacity to conduct espionage against Norway.

Benedicte Bjornland, Chief of Norwegian Security Service (PST), described Russian spying as “comprehensive and aggressive”.“Russian Intelligence services use every available means,” he said.