Saudi national accused of planting bug at OpenAI had government support, prosecutors claim

US prosecutors have charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI employee, with secretly planting a recording device in the company's meeting room. Court documents allege he had "considerable support" from the Saudi government, including frequent communication with a royal family member and military-funded travel for his family after his arrest. OpenAI discovered the device on September 30; Alfozan was arrested by the FBI on October 9. Prosecutors argue the suspect posed a flight risk, noting he was due to fly to Riyadh one week after his arrest, and his wife stated she was "permanently moving back to Saudi Arabia."