Macau jails ex-lawmaker Au Kam-san for 12.5 years
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Former Macau lawmaker and democracy campaigner Au Kam-san was sentenced on Friday to 12 years and six months in prison after the Court of First Instance convicted him on five of seven charges in Macau’s first national security trial. The 69-year-old was found guilty of four national security offences and one secrecy offence, while being acquitted on two subversion counts linked to alleged collusion with multiple foreign organisations
Key Points
- The Court of First Instance in Macau convicted Au on four counts under the national security law and one count of violating secrecy, sentencing him to 12½ years in prison
- The court acquitted Au of two subversion charges arising from allegations that he colluded with multiple foreign organisations, according to a court press release
- Au, 69, had been detained since July 2025, and his closed-door trial was held in September and concluded in three days.
- Macau police had alleged Au helped foreign organisations spread false information about Macau, stir hatred against the government, and disrupt the 2024 chief executive election
- A Macau government spokesman said the judgment was reached according to law and urged society to respect the court’s ruling and the judiciary’s role
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the ruling offers a closely watched example of how another Chinese special administrative region is enforcing national security legislation through closed-door proceedings and lengthy prison terms. The case also draws attention to concerns raised outside Macau, including the European Union’s criticism after Au’s arrest and reported restrictions on his family contact and choice of lawyer.