Macao sentences former lawmaker to 12 years and six months

Macao sentenced former lawmaker Au Kam San to 12 years and six months in prison on Friday in its first national security case, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Court of First Instance found the 69-year-old guilty of subversion of state power, establishing links with external organisations to commit acts endangering national security, and breach of secrecy, according to a court statement.

The court said Au had worked with “hostile organisations” outside Macao to collect, prepare and publicly disseminate images and information targeting state power. It also found that he collaborated with foreign organisations between 2023 and 2024 to collect and spread “false and distorted” information.

According to the court, the activities were intended to incite hatred towards China’s central government and disrupt Macao’s sixth-term chief executive election.

The court also found that Au disclosed confidential information from a closed-door Legislative Assembly meeting in 2021 about the renewal of gaming concessions. It acquitted him of two other subversion charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Au was arrested last year on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun defended the proceedings at a news conference on Friday, describing Macao as a “law-based society” and saying anyone who violated the law would be held accountable.

“Any action that threatens national security, the SAR (Special Administrative Region) government has its lawful right to deal with such action,” Guo said.

He also opposed foreign interference in Macao’s domestic affairs or China’s internal politics.

Macao, a former Portuguese colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1999.