Big Bang scientist allegedly plotted to blow up oil refinery

10-14-2009 • Digital Journal

The ongoing investigation alleges Hicheur was targeting a Total oil refinery that would have destroyed a city "the size of London," reported the Mail Online.

Hicheur, who is on remand in Paris after being charged with "criminal activities related to a terrorist group" reportedly also kept a list of assassination targets that included senior European politicians such as French president Nicolas Sarkozy and the French interior minister Brice Hortefeux said the Mail Online report.

Mr. Hicheur, who is described as being "brilliant and solitary," is accused of using a pseudonym to correspond with members of the well-known North African unit of al-Qaeda and has already received payments from the group.

The group was targeting Total, a multi-national oil company that operates in most countries in Europe, including Britain and France.

Hicheur, a devout Muslim, i