Macao Lawmaker Sentenced to 12.5 Years

A Macao court handed former lawmaker Au Kam San a sentence of 12 and a half years on Friday. The verdict concludes the city's first public prosecution under its national security law. The law has been on the books since 2009, but this is the first time a known case has reached a final judgment.

The court found Au guilty of subverting state power, breaching confidentiality, and contacting outside groups to endanger national security. According to the court statement, the 69-year-old assisted hostile organizations for a long period. They collected and spread political views aimed at overthrowing the fundamental system. The court noted that although Au was a first-time offender, his intent was high and the consequences were serious.

The trial took place behind closed doors in September. The judge ruled that an open trial could undermine national security interests. The court stated that a lawyer approved by Au represented him during the proceedings and that he exercised his right to defense. The ruling also granted the family regular visitation rights.

Virginia Cheang, Au's wife, rejected the outcome in a public letter. She called the process a political trial and groundless persecution. She expressed hope that authorities would allow her family to exchange letters with Au without conditions. Her daughter, Au Hon I, who lives in London, described her father as a peaceful family man. She said the ruling sets boundaries on citizen rights and creates a scary new chapter for the region.

Legal experts pointed to gaps in the public record. Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer practicing in Macao, noted that the trial's secrecy left key details hidden. He said the court statement implied Au admitted to facts, which could mislead the public into thinking he pleaded guilty. Menezes argued that the case sends a message to residents who challenge authorities. He suggested Macao is acting as a laboratory for Hong Kong in these security matters.

Michael Polak, Au's international counsel, urged Portugal and the European Union to act. He argued that for a man of Au's age, the sentence is effectively life in prison. Polak warned that if Au remains in Macao, he could die in custody. The government of Macao supported the ruling, urging all sectors to respect it. The administration said it would continue to strictly enforce the security law.

The court detailed the specific actions that led to the conviction. It found that Au helped overseas groups spread false information between 2023 and 2024. The goal was to induce foreign countries to take hostile actions against China and Macao. The court also said Au leaked confidential information from closed-door committee meetings in 2021. That information concerned the renewal of gaming licenses. The leak was intended to incite hatred against the central government and undermine the 2024 city leader election.

Au served in the Macao legislature for 20 years before stepping down in 2021. He was a teacher before entering politics and was known for organizing commemoration events for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Many considered his critiques of the government to be mild. He used social media and interviews to criticize political developments. Beijing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said the ruling shows a firm resolve to safeguard national security. The office urged people to remain vigilant about risks even in stable times. China's Foreign Ministry said it opposes external forces using the case to interfere in Macao's affairs.