OpenAI Engineer Accused of Spying on Executives Ordered to Remain in Custody

A federal judge ordered OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan to remain in custody, agreeing with prosecutors that he could flee the United States. The case centres on an alleged concealed audio recorder in an executive conference room, and has drawn attention because of claims about Alfozan’s links to Saudi Arabia.

Prosecutors say Alfozan, a US permanent resident, was in contact with an unidentified Saudi royal who urged him to return for an AI initiative, and that Saudi officials offered help with bail. He denies spying for the kingdom; his lawyer says the room was open to staff. Alfozan faces up to five years in prison on a charge of using a device to intercept communications, while authorities say further charges are possible. Investigators have not said whether the encrypted recorder captured any conversations.