Federal prosecutors revealed that a former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, was days away from fleeing to Saudi Arabia before his arrest. Alfozan, a Saudi national, is accused of installing a secret recording device in an executive conference room at OpenAI. Prosecutors argued that Alfozan has substantial resources and apparent support from a foreign government, diminishing his incentive to remain in the U.S. A federal judge denied his release to home confinement, siding with prosecutors. Alfozan's lawyer countered that his client had strong U.S. ties, was pursuing citizenship, and was willing to forfeit significant assets for bond. Prosecutors presented evidence that Alfozan's wife and son left the U.S. on one-way tickets paid for by a Saudi military official after his arrest. They also indicated Alfozan was in communication with a Saudi royal family member attempting to recruit him for an AI venture. Alfozan allegedly concealed the sophisticated recording device in toilet paper within an unauthorized conference room. The device, found after several days, was designed to evade detection and contained advanced encryption. OpenAI stated they have evidence Alfozan planned to install additional listening devices. He faces a potential five-year prison sentence if convicted of using an illegal interception device.