Former Twitter employee accused of spying for Saudis pleads not guilty

The case puts Silicon Valley in the spotlight over the protection of personal data

SAN FRANCISCO: A former Twitter employee accused of spying for Saudi Arabia pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in San Francisco, where he remains in custody.

Ahmad Abouammo earlier this month was indicted on spying charges along with Ali Alzabarah, another former Twitter employee, and Ahmed Almutairi, who worked for the Saudi royal family.

The case puts Silicon Valley in the spotlight over protection of personal data, including from tech company employees who have no reason to access the information. It also is a public conflict between the United States and an ally.

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According to the complaint, Abouammo repeatedly accessed the Twitter account of a prominent critic of the Saudi royal family in early 2015. In one instance, he was able to view the email address and telephone number associated with the account. Abouammo also accessed the account of a second Saudi critic to get information, the complaint said.

US prosecutors argue that Abouammo, a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon, presents a flight risk due to large sums of money he had access to from the alleged co-conspirators.

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A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered him to be released next week, but prosecutors are appealing that decision.

In a hearing on Wednesday afternoon, US District Judge Edward Chen agreed to hear prosecutors’ arguments against release and consider the detention decision anew on Thursday morning. Abouammo waved and blew a kiss to his children as he left the courtroom.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Alzabarah and Almutairi, who is believed to be in Saudi Arabia.