Science4Peace Seminar: Adlene Hicheur - a denied life
Adlene Hicheur: a denied life
by
Dr. Monica Pepe-Altarelli,
Dr. Vincenzo Vagnoni
11. Feb 2026, 5 pm (CET)
virtual event - ZOOM only
please register at: https://tinyurl.com/S4PspecialFeb2026
Abstract: Adlene Hicheur, a particle physicist, has endured 15 years of persecution. In 2009, he was arrested in France and spent two years in jail before being released shortly after his trial. Since then, he’s been denied the right to work or travel, severely impacting his career and personal life. Stranded in Algeria with no income, he continues to conduct world-class physics research in the LHCb experiment at CERN. We believe he deserves the right to resume a normal life and contribute to science, rights he’s constantly denied. This seminar will recount his story.
Monica Pepe Altarelli and Vincenzo Vagnoni are particle physicists working on the LHCb experiment at CERN, which focuses on studying flavour physics at the LHC. They have held several important scientific and management roles within the LHCb collaboration and elsewhere. Together with other colleagues, they supported Adlene Hicheur throughout his troubles and are helping him rebuild his professional and personal life.
References:
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2016.21155
- https://www.nature.com/articles/537287a
- https://www.nature.com/articles/537279b
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.10293
- https://www.nature.com/articles/news.2011.584
- https://www.nature.com/articles/478155a
- https://www.nature.com/articles/news.2010.592
- Talk by M. Pepe Altarelli
