A former OpenAI engineer charged with secretly installing a recording device in a conference room to glean company details had been “mere days” away from absconding to Saudi Arabia before his arrest last week, federal prosecutors revealed in new court filings. Abdulrahman Alfozan’s wife and young son also left the country the day after the 35-year-old Saudi national’s arrest, traveling on a one-way ticket booked and paid for by a Saudi military official, prosecutors said in a memo Sunday seeking his continued detention. “Ultimately, the defendant has little incentive to remain in the United States to see this case through,” federal prosecutors wrote. ” A federal judge in San Francisco sided with prosecutors Monday, denying a request by Alfozan’s lawyers to release him to home confinement. His next court date is Nov. S. S. citizenship. Alfozan had a naturalization interview with federal officials scheduled next month and has been a lawful permanent resident since 2020, his lawyers said in their legal filings. S. for 15 years and attended MIT and the University of California, Berkeley, they said. S. investment account — to cover his bond. S. as she still holds a visitor visa that expires in 2033. Judge Alex Tse appeared doubtful, questioning whether Saudi Arabia’s government would simply reimburse Alfozan if he fled and forfeited his bond. After the hearing, Pernik said he was disappointed with the ruling but declined further comment. Pernik had argued in court filings that Alfozan purchased one-way tickets for his family to Saudi Arabia more than two weeks before prosecutors allege the recording devices were installed.