Macau: Former lawmaker sentenced to 12.5 years under strict national security laws

Macau authorities have sentenced former lawmaker <b>Au Kam San</b> to 12.5 years in prison following a landmark national security trial. He was convicted for his role in organizing annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. This ruling marks the first major conviction under the <b>national security laws</b> that were significantly expanded in 2023. The prosecution focused on activities deemed to threaten regional stability, effectively criminalizing public dissent and historical remembrance in the territory. While Macau continues to tighten its grip on civil liberties to mirror mainland policies, such moves highlight the shrinking space for democratic expression under the guise of security.