Macao Court Sentences Former Lawmaker Au Kam San to 12.5 Years

A Macao court sentenced former lawmaker Au Kam San to 12 and a half years in prison on Friday. The verdict concludes the territory's first national security case under a law enacted in 2009. The trial took place behind closed doors in September.

The judge found Au guilty of subverting state power and breaching confidentiality. The court stated that Au established contact with outside groups to commit acts endangering national security. A court statement said he assisted hostile organizations in collecting and spreading political views. It alleged these groups conspired to incite hatred against the central government. The court noted that Au intended to overthrow the country's fundamental system.

Au served as a legislator for 20 years before stepping down in 2021. He was a teacher who organized commemorations for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Before his arrest, he regularly criticized government measures on social media. Many observers described his critiques as mild compared to other activists. The court said he leaked confidential information from closed-door committee meetings between 2023 and 2024. He shared details regarding the renewal of gaming licenses with overseas groups.

Virginia Cheang, Au's wife, called the process a political trial in a public letter. She said the family only wanted regular visits and letters. Au's daughter, Au Hon I, told the Associated Press that the ruling sets boundaries for citizens. She described the decision as a scary chapter for the region. Michael Polak, Au's international counsel, urged Portugal and the European Union to demand that Au be allowed to leave Macao. He argued that a sentence of this length for a 69-year-old is effectively life imprisonment.

Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer practicing in Macao, said the secret trial left key details undisclosed. He noted that the court statement suggested Au acknowledged some facts, which could imply a guilty plea. Menezes said the case sends a message to anyone who challenges authorities. The Macao government supported the ruling and urged the public to respect it. The Beijing office for Hong Kong and Macao affairs said the verdict shows a firm resolve to safeguard national security. China's Foreign Ministry opposed external forces using the case to interfere in local affairs.