The General Electric engineer accused of stealing company trade secrets has been released on bond.

Xiaoqing Zheng appeared in Albany federal court for a bail hearing Thursday.

Prosecutors tried to keep him behind bars-arguing that he is a flight risk.

Zheng was arrested at his Niskayuna home Wednesday by the FBI.

Prosecutors believe he stole trade secrets from GE by using a scheme to hide sensitive data files in a digital picture.

He's facing a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.

The judge granted $100,000 bond, but forced him to surrender his passport.

Zheng used his Cephalonia Drive home as collateral. He will be kept under house arrest