A Saudi national accused of secretly planting a recording device in one of OpenAI’s meeting rooms has been alleged to have received “considerable support” from the Saudi government, according to a court filing in California. The U.S. government claims Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was in “frequent communication… with a member of the Saudi royal family” and that a Saudi military official arranged a one-way flight for his wife and son after his arrest.

Alleged Security Breach at OpenAI

Alfozan worked at OpenAI for about a year before allegedly attempting to install the device. The AI company discovered the device on 30 September, which was plugged into the back of a TV in a conference room and covered with toilet paper. A camera recorded Alfozan entering the room on 5 October and appearing to look behind the television where the device had been installed.

On 9 October, the FBI arrested Alfozan, and his contract with OpenAI was terminated. The court filing claims the suspect’s actions could pose “a danger to the national security of the United States” because executives from the tech firm met with government officials in the room during the days the device was installed.

Flight to Saudi Arabia and Bail Denial

Alfozan was arrested three days before he was scheduled to fly from San Francisco to Riyadh on a one-way ticket with his wife and son. After his arrest, his wife told FBI agents that “her US visa was expiring” and that she and her son were “permanently moving back to Saudi Arabia”, with her husband intending to do the same.

On 10 October, the day after Alfozan’s arrest, his wife and son flew from San Francisco to Doha, Qatar, on a one-way business class ticket booked and paid for by a Saudi military official. Prosecutors argued that Alfozan has “little incentive to remain in the United States to see this case through.”

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Alex Tse denied Alfozan’s attorneys’ request for his release on bail, stating there was “a risk of non-appearance that is significant.” Alfozan was scheduled to appear in federal court in San Francisco later that day. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Government Response and Ongoing Investigation

The Saudi government has not responded to BBC requests for comment. The FBI investigation into the case is ongoing. Alfozan’s alleged conduct and the support he may have received from Saudi officials raise questions about potential national security risks associated with the incident.