The Criminal Chamber of the Lower Court (TJB) of the Court of First Instance (TPI) announced in a statement yesterday that it will read out the ruling and sentence this morning for the Macao Special Administrative Region’s (MSAR) first national security case, which involves defendant Au Kam San, a former lawmaker.
The statement noted that Au is accused of committing the crimes of subversion against the political power ruling the nation and establishing ties with organisations, entities, or individuals outside the MSAR to engage in acts endangering national security – as listed in Macau’s Law on Safeguarding National Security.
The statement said that the ruling and sentence for the case will be read out at 10:00 a.m. today.
According to the statement, due to the limited number of seats available in the courtroom and to ensure order in the court, entry passes were distributed to those attending the reading. Local residents wishing to attend the reading were required to visit the Lower Court Building in Sai Van – from 4:00 p.m. yesterday – to obtain an entry pass upon showing their ID cards. The entry passes were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with one pass allocated per person upon registration.
Media workers wishing to attend the reading were also required to register, which was also subject to a limited number of seats.
On September 18, the Criminal Chamber of the Lower Court concluded the trial hearing of Au’s case, two days after the start of the trial. Au was arrested in July last year for alleged violations of the Law on Safeguarding National Security and has been remanded in custody since his arrest.
The trial was held behind closed doors “in order to ensure that no prejudice is caused to the interests of national security.”
This is the first national security trial since the establishment of the MSAR on December 20, 1999.
Macau’s national security law - the Law on Safeguarding National Security – was enacted in 2009 and amended in 2023.
This photo taken in September and downloaded from the Public Works Bureau’s (DSOP) website yesterday shows the ongoing extension project of the Lower Court Building in Sai Van. The building remains operational during the project period.
