Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Activists interacted on social media as the US Department of Justice announced that Ahmed Abuammo had been convicted of spying for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that he had been sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
“This case revealed that a foreign government, the government of Saudi Arabia, allegedly bribed insiders to get user information collected and stored by our Silicon Valley social media companies,” said US Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds in a statement.
He added: “In sentencing, the court confirmed that the defendant shared user information with a foreign government known for its intolerance of dissidents, and did so by cooperating with the defendant more guilty, who fled to Saudi Arabia instead of facing trial, and this sentence sends a message to insiders”.
CNN Arabic has reached out to Saudi authorities for comment, with no response as of this writing.
Ahmed Abouammo, a 45-year-old dual US and Lebanese citizen, was convicted of six criminal charges, including acting as a foreign agent of Saudi Arabia, conspiracy and attempting to hide payments to an official associated with the Saudi royal family.
Abu Ammo must also pay $242,000 to cover the cost of bribes he received for his work, which includes an hour and money.
