PARIS — French cement maker Holcim’s Lafarge unit went on trial Tuesday, facing charges that its Syrian subsidiary financed terrorism and breached European sanctions to keep a plant operating in northern Syria during the country’s civil war.

Investigative judges alleged that Lafarge paid jihadist groups, including Islamic State and the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, both designated as terrorists by the EU, a total of 5 million euros ($5.83 million) between 2013 and September 2014.

The case, bringing a company to trial on financing terrorism charges in France, is unprecedented.

Lafarge, which became part of Switzerland-listed Holcim in 2015, and eight people, including former Lafarge executives, have been under investigation by the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office since 2017.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lafarge said the case revolved around “actions that occurred more than a decade ago and were in flagrant violation of Lafarge SA’s Code of Conduct. None of the former executives who are standing trial as individuals are with Lafarge SA or any affiliated........

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