Macao Hands Former Lawmaker 12.5-Year Term in First National Security Trial
The verdict against Au Kam San marks the first prosecution under the territory's 2009 security law, prompting criticism from family members and European officials over the closed-door process.
By Yara Nasser ·
Macao has operated under Chinese rule since 1999, but its first national security conviction arrived this week with a twelve and a half year prison term for a veteran politician. The sentence for former lawmaker Au Kam San concludes a legal process that observers say signals a tightening of political oversight in the casino hub.
The court found Au, 69, guilty of subverting state power and breaching confidentiality. Prosecutors argued that he established contact with organizations outside Macao to spread political views intended to endanger national security. The ruling states that he conspired to incite hatred against the central government with the intent to undermine the country's fundamental system.
The trial took place in September behind closed doors. The judge cited the need to protect national security interests as the reason for excluding the public. A court statement noted that although Au admitted to a portion of the criminal facts, he demonstrated a high degree of intent. The severity of the sentence reflects the court's view that the potential consequences of his actions were serious.
Au's wife, Virginia Cheang, criticized the process in a public letter. She described the move from a secret trial to a public verdict as a political operation designed to humiliate her husband's character. In London, his daughter Au Hon I said the ruling sets new boundaries for citizens' rights. She described the atmosphere in Macao as unsafe and heartbreaking for her family.
Legal experts note that specific details regarding which overseas organizations were involved were not revealed. Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer practicing in Macao, stated that the phrasing used by the court was misleading. He argued that Au did not formally plead guilty, a distinction he believes was important for maintaining his dignity during the proceedings.
International reaction focused on the impact on political pluralism. The European Union deplored the sentencing, noting that Au spent nearly a year in incommunicado detention after his arrest. Michael Polak, Au's international counsel, urged Portugal and the EU to demand that the Portuguese citizen be allowed to leave Macao. He warned that the sentence could effectively be a life sentence for a man of his age.
The court found that between 2023 and 2024, Au helped overseas groups spread false information. This was done to induce foreign countries to take hostile actions against China and Macao. As a lawmaker in 2021, he also leaked confidential information regarding gaming license renewals to overseas contacts. The government supported the ruling, stating it would continue to strictly enforce the security law.
Beijing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said the verdict demonstrates a firm resolve to safeguard national security. China's Foreign Ministry opposed external forces using the case to interfere in Macao's affairs. Au served in the legislature for twenty years before stepping down in 2021, having previously been a teacher and organizer of local commemorations.
