Macao Resident Arrested for Suspected National Security Violations

On Thursday, the Macao Judiciary Police reported the arrest of a local resident believed to have breached the Law on Safeguarding National Security. The suspect, identified as a 68-year-old man with the surname Ou, was taken into custody by the national security agency after allegations surfaced indicating he had been collaborating with anti-China groups overseas since 2022.

Investigations revealed that Ou provided substantial amounts of misleading and inflammatory information to these organizations, both in public exhibitions overseas and through online channels. Despite the implementation of the national security law in 2023, Ou allegedly persisted in facilitating the dissemination of such materials to bolster the activities and influence of these foreign entities.

The investigation also highlighted that the suspect maintained ongoing communications with various anti-China organizations abroad. He is charged with supplying false narratives about Macao to these groups or their associated media, aiming to incite animosity among residents towards both the central government of China and the Macao Special Administrative Region government. Authorities believe his actions are intended to disrupt the 2024 Chief Executive election in Macao and provoke negative responses from foreign influences.

Following a thorough examination of the evidence collected, the Judiciary Police concluded that Ou was deeply involved in actions that posed a significant threat to national security. He conspired with others to spread distorted information, effectively inciting anger against the central government and encouraging hostility towards both China and Macao. On Wednesday, following lawful procedures, he was apprehended at his home in the central district and subsequently handed over to the local public prosecutions office.