French ‘Big Bang’ scientist on trial for alleged terror plot

[bananas]

Source: AFP

A Franco-Algerian nuclear scientist goes on trial Thursday for allegedly plotting terror attacks in France, where an Islamist’s killing spree has already overshadowed the presidential campaign.

A week after police shot dead Franco-Algerian Mohamed Merah for killing seven people in and around Toulouse, Adlene Hicheur goes on trial charged with criminal association as part of a terrorist enterprise.

French police arrested Hicheur, a researcher studying the universe’s birth -- the Big Bang -- at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), in October 2009 after intercepting emails he wrote.

Following his arrest at his parents’ home near CERN, which lies on the Franco-Swiss border northwest of Geneva, police discovered a trove of al-Qaeda and Islamic militant literature.

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Read more: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/27/203566.html

[snagglepuss]

1. I agree with the judge the emails are damning

In June 2009, Debchi asked Hicheur: “Don’t beat around the bush: are you prepared to work in a unit becoming active in France?”

Hicheur replied on June 6: “Concerning your proposal, the answer is of course YES but there are a few observations: ...if your proposal relates to a precise strategy -- such as working in the heart of the main enemy’s house and emptying its blood of strength -- then I should revise the plan that I’ve prepared.”