Former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan, accused of planting a recording device in an executive meeting room, was in contact with a Saudi royal and planned to leave the US, prosecutors said. A judge denied bail over concerns he could flee.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former engineer at artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI accused of planting a "sophisticated recording device" in an executive conference room, was in contact with a member of the Saudi royal family and was planning to leave the US for Riyadh when authorities arrested him, federal prosecutors said in a court memorandum on Sunday (18 October).
Alfozan was arrested on 9 October and is accused of using AI tools to develop encrypted recording devices and locate meeting rooms used by OpenAI executives, government officials and business partners, according to CBS News.
What did the court filing reveal?
In an 11-page filing, prosecutors said investigators found evidence indicating that Alfozan may have planned to install additional devices in the AI firm’s offices. The filing also revealed his WhatsApp exchanges with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family, who repeatedly urged him to return to the kingdom and take part in an AI initiative there.
Prosecutors further alleged that between 2025 and 2026, the former OpenAI engineer "was in frequent communication via WhatsApp with a member of the Saudi Royal Family, including as recently as October 5, 2026." The royal family member reportedly told Alfozan, "Saudi needs you more than [sic] the US!", as part of a campaign to recruit him. While Alfozan agreed, he added that he would not leave until his stock vested.
Alfozan was arrested on 9 October, three days before he was scheduled to leave the US with his wife and infant son on a one-way flight to Riyadh. The filing also revealed that his wife and three-month-old son left the country on 10 October on business-class tickets bought by a Saudi military official. Before his arrest, he was due to begin two months of parental leave in October.
According to a Bloomberg report, Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse denied Alfozan’s bail request after prosecutors argued that his alleged connection to the Saudi royal family and recent termination from the AI firm made him a serious flight risk as he awaited trial.
In the court filings, the US government argued that Alfozan poses a “danger to the national security of the United States” because of the nature of the allegations against him and his connections to the Saudi government.
What is the case against Abdulrahman Alfozan?
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Alfozan, a green card holder, was arrested earlier this month after OpenAI staff found an audio recording device planted behind a television in an executive conference room. On 28 September, he installed a "surreptitious audio recording device into a USB port on the back of a television in an executive OpenAI conference room, where the device remained for at least multiple days," investigators alleged.
According to the DOJ, Alfozan was not authorised to access the executive conference room where investigators found the device. Surveillance footage also showed him near the conference room several times before the "recording device" was found. On 5 October, he reportedly entered the room to retrieve it.
Alfozan, a permanent resident of the US since 2020 and set to become a naturalised citizen soon, will remain in custody and return to court next month.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.