Former Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Sentenced to 12 1/2 Years in Macao’s 1st National Security Case
The former lawmaker was convicted of subversion after a closed-door trial that raised fairness concerns, court records show.
- On Friday, a Macau court sentenced 69-year-old former lawmaker Au Kam San to 12 1/2 years in prison, marking the first national security conviction in the Chinese casino hub since the law was widened in 2023.
- Authorities detained Au in July 2025, accusing him of providing information to external organizations to incite hatred against the Central People's Government; a closed-door trial concluded in September after three days.
- Evidence showed Au sought to undermine the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, with the court stating he "provided assistance and collaboration to external hostile organisations" to disseminate subversive content.
- Critics argue the case reflects Beijing's intolerance of dissent, though Macau's pro-democracy movement remains less influential than in neighboring Hong Kong; the European Union condemned the arrest last year, citing "erosion of political pluralism."
- Au's conviction establishes a precedent for applying Macau's national security laws, enacted in 2009, representing the first publicly known prosecution under the territory's updated legal framework.
83 Articles
83 Articles
Former pro-democracy lawmaker sentenced to 12½ years in Macao’s first national security case
Macao pro-democracy former lawmaker Au Kam San has been sentenced to 12½ years in prison in the Chinese city’s first national security case. The sentencing on Friday followed a closed-door trial that raised concerns about fairness. Au’s arrest last year…
Macau: In Macau, a pro-democracy politician and activist has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison. According to human rights organizations, his conviction is a…
Daily Maverick
Free Malaysia Today NewsMacau ex-lawmaker sentenced to 12.5 years in prison in city’s first national security trial
A leading Macau democrat was jailed for 12.5 years on Friday on charges of subversion, in the China-ruled gambling hub's first known national security trial, local broadcaster TDM reported.
Former pro-democracy lawmaker sentenced to 12 1/2 years in Macao’s first national security case
Macao pro-democracy former lawmaker Au Kam San was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison Friday in the Chinese city’s first national security case following a closed-door trial that raised concerns about fairness. Au’s arrest last year was the first…
Former Macao lawmaker jailed 12.5 years
Former Macao lawmaker Au Kam-san was jailed for 12-and-a-half years on Friday in the territory's first national security case. That came after the court convicted him on one count of subverting state power, two counts of establishing links with organisations, groups or individuals outside the Macao SAR to endanger national security, and one count of breach of secrecy. The Court of First Instance said the proceedings carefully assessed all the ev…
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