Former Macao lawmaker Au Kam-san was jailed for 12-and-a-half years on Friday in the territory's first national security case.

That came after the court convicted him on one count of subverting state power, two counts of establishing links with organisations, groups or individuals outside the Macao SAR to endanger national security, and one count of breach of secrecy.

The Court of First Instance said the proceedings carefully assessed all the evidence and found most of the indictment facts proven.

Au did not dispute most of the basic facts and admitted colluding and conspiring with overseas organisations, it said.

The court said he had long personally helped hostile overseas organisations collect, prepare and openly spread political advocacy aimed at subverting state power, as well as false and clearly distorted images and information.

That was done, it said, to stir hatred among Macao residents against the Central People's Government and seek to overthrow the fundamental system under China's Constitution.

On the secrecy charge, Au, as a Legislative Assembly member, leaked secret contents from a closed-door committee meeting in 2021 to an overseas organisation, risking very serious consequences.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said national security is a red line that must not be crossed.

In an article, it criticised Au for long colluding with external forces under the banners of so-called "democracy" and "freedom" to engage in anti-China, destabilising activities in Macao, seriously endangering national security and harming Macao's prosperity and stability.

It says the judgement forcefully upholds the authority of the rule of law, adding that anyone or any organisation that dares to endanger national security will be severely punished by law.


Edited by Aaron Tam