Former pro-democracy lawmaker sentenced to 12 1/2 years in Macao’s 1st national security case

Au Kam San was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison in Macao's first national security case since the law was enacted in 2009

The trial was held behind closed doors in September

A Macao court found Au guilty of subverting state power, breaching confidentiality, and contacting outside organizations to endanger national security

Au served as a lawmaker in Macao's legislature for 20 years before stepping down in 2021

2009: Macao's national security law was enacted · 2021: As a lawmaker, Au leaked confidential committee information on gaming license renewals to overseas groups · 2021: Au stepped down from the legislature after 20 years of service · 2023-2024: Au allegedly helped overseas organizations spread false information to incite hostility and undermine the 2024 city leader election · last year: Au was arrested, the first publicly known prosecution under the national security law · September: Au's trial was held behind closed doors · Friday: Au was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison

12 1/2 years prison sentence · 69 Au's age · 2009 year enacted · 20 years lawmaker tenure · 2023-2024 timeframe of alleged offenses

Whether a lawyer chosen by Au's family was allowed to see him in prison is disputed: family says no, court says a lawyer approved by Au represented him