MACAO — Former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison in Macao’s first publicly known prosecution under its national security law, following a trial that has raised concerns among human rights organizations about political freedoms and due process.
The 69-year-old was sentenced on Friday, November 6, 2026, by the Court of First Instance. His conviction marks a significant development in the enforcement of national security legislation in the Chinese special administrative region.
Charges Against Former Lawmaker
Au was convicted of subverting state power, establishing links with overseas organizations to carry out activities considered harmful to national security, and breaching confidentiality laws.
Prosecutors accused him of maintaining contact with organizations outside Macao and providing information and materials that authorities said were intended to encourage hostility toward China’s central government and undermine its political system.
The court also found that Au disclosed confidential information obtained during a closed-door legislative meeting in 2021 concerning the renewal of gaming concessions.
However, he was acquitted of two additional subversion charges because the court found insufficient evidence to support those allegations.
Trial Held Behind Closed Doors
Au’s trial took place over three days in September, with proceedings conducted behind closed doors following a request from prosecutors and approval from the city’s national security committee.
Authorities maintained that restricting public access was necessary to protect national security interests. The court also said Au received legal representation through an appointed defence lawyer.
The former legislator was arrested in July 2025, making his prosecution the first publicly known case under Macao’s national security legislation, originally enacted in 2009 and amended in 2023.
Human Rights Groups Raise Concerns
Human Rights Watch criticized the sentence and raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings, warning that the case could discourage peaceful political criticism.
Au served nearly 20 years in Macao’s legislature before leaving office in 2021. He was known for advocating democratic reforms, supporting civil society initiatives and helping organize annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
His imprisonment comes amid broader concerns about restrictions on pro-democracy movements in Chinese-administered territories, including neighbouring Hong Kong.
Wider Implications for Macao
Macao returned to Chinese administration in 1999 after more than four centuries of Portuguese rule. Although it operates under a separate legal and administrative framework, its political environment has increasingly emphasized national security.
The case has drawn international attention because it demonstrates how the territory’s national security legislation is being applied against a former elected representative.
The 12½-year sentence is expected to intensify scrutiny of political freedoms and the treatment of government critics in Macao.
Swifteradio.com
