INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesTwo former employees of Twitter have been charged in the US with spying for Saudi Arabia.The charges, unsealed on
Wednesday in San Francisco, allege that Saudi agents sought personal information about Twitter users including known critics of the Saudi
government.Court documents named the two as Ahmad Abouammo, a US citizen, and Ali Alzabarah, from Saudi Arabia.A third person, Saudi citizen
Ahmed Almutairi, is also accused of spying.The charges allege Mr Almutairi acted as an intermediary between the two Twitter employees and
Saudi officials.Ahmad Abouammo appeared in a Seattle court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody pending another hearing due on Friday.He
is also charged with falsifying documents and making false statements to the FBI
Mr Abouammo is said to have left his job as a media partnership manager for Twitter in 2015.Ali Alzabarah and Ahmed Almutairi are both
believed to be in Saudi Arabia.Mr Alzabarah, a former Twitter engineer, is accused of accessing the personal data of more than 6,000 Twitter
users in 2015 after being recruited by Saudi agents.He was confronted by his supervisors and placed on administrative leave before fleeing
to Saudi Arabia with his wife and daughter, investigators said.In a statement, Twitter said it recognised "the lengths bad actors will go
to" to try to undermine its service.It added: "We understand the incredible risks faced by many who use Twitter to share their perspectives
with the world and to hold those in power accountable
We have tools in place to protect their privacy and their ability to do their vital work."Saudi Arabia is a key US ally in the Middle
East.President Donald Trump has maintained close ties with the kingdom despite international condemnation following the murder of dissident
journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year.Mr Khashoggi was murdered during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
