French-Algerian Professor Living in Brazil Denies Connection with Al-Qaeda

01/13/2016 - 09h01

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FROM RIO

A professor of physics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) who served a jail term in France between 2009 and 2012 for "criminal association with the intention of planning a terrorist attack" has defended himself in a statement, arguing that he is being "unfairly incriminated."

Adlène Hicheur, a French-Algerian particle physicist, published the statement on Monday (11) with the Brazilian Center of Physical Research. He argued that the details about his connection with the terrorist network Al-Qaeda are "old and have already been clarified."

"I was arrested by the French police at the end of 2009 and the only reasons provided for my detention were my visits to so-called subversive Islamic websites. I was deprived of my freedom for two years based on this alone," wrote Hicheur, who was born in Algeria and obtained French citizenship.

A report published in "Época" magazine this weekend revealed that Hicheur, 39, has been in Brazil since 2013. He receives a scholarship from the government for his research and works as a visiting professor at the UFRJ.

Folha has learnt that he also received a scholarship from the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ) until the end of the 2014, while today he is a professor contracted by the UFRJ.

Hicheur was arrested in 2009 for exchanging emails that discussed terrorist attacks. He went on trial in 2012 and was sentenced to five years in prison, including the time he had spent in custody since his arrest.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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