Ex-Twitter employee accused of spying for Saudi Arabia granted bond

SEATTLE (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Friday said a former Twitter (N:) employee could be released on bond, with travel restrictions, while he awaits trial on U.S. charges of spying for Saudi Arabia.

Seattle Magistrate Judge Paula McCandlis said her decision to grant Ahmad Abouammo, 41, bond would go into effect at 4:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. ET), unless federal prosecutors lodged an appeal.

If prosecutors appeal McCandlis’ ruling, Abouammo will have to remain in detention until a district court judge considers her decision, defense lawyer Chris Black said.

Abouammo was indicted on spying charges along with Ali Alzabarah, 35, another former Twitter employer, and Ahmed Almutairi, 30, who worked for the Saudi royal family, according to a complaint filed against the three on Wednesday.

Disclaimer: Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. All CFDs (stocks, indexes, futures) and Forex prices are not provided by exchanges but rather by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual market price, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Therefore Fusion Media doesn`t bear any responsibility for any trading losses you might incur as a result of using this data.

Fusion Media or anyone involved with Fusion Media will not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information including data, quotes, charts and buy/sell signals contained within this website. Please be fully informed regarding the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, it is one of the riskiest investment forms possible.