VIDEO. Why the French group Castel, a French beverage giant, is in the sights of the anti-terrorist prosecution

The Castel group, a French wine and beer giant, owner in particular of the Nicolas store chain, is the subject of an investigation by the anti-terrorist prosecution, according to information from the Radio France investigation cell this Friday. An American NGO, The Sentry, suspects him of having financed armed militias in the Central African Republic to continue his activities in the country.

>> SURVEY. The Castel group, a French beverage giant, suspected of having financed militias in the Central African Republic, targeted by an investigation by the anti-terrorist prosecution

One of the group’s subsidiaries, which produced sugar in the Central African Republic, is suspected of having financed armed militias during the civil war. Radio France’s investigation unit was able to consult internal company documents. These are security reports written daily in the Central African factory between 2014 and 2021. They evoke a racket which was imposed by the men of the UPC, a militia led by a warlord, Ali Darassa.

The American NGO maintains that the Castel subsidiary would have paid more than 250,000 euros to the leaders of the UPC. This militia is accused by the United Nations of war crimes, in particular for a massacre which took place in a Christian refugee camp in 2018. 112 people died. Shortly before this tragedy, employees of the Castel group factory had repaired one of the pick-ups of the head of the militia. The beverage giant finds itself at the heart of an investigation for suspicion of complicity in crimes against humanity.

The Castel group, for its part, denies having provided the slightest support to the rebels.