Au Kam-san jailed for 12 years and 6 months after closed Macao trial
Macao has sentenced former pro-democracy legislator Au Kam-san to 12 years and 6 months in prison after a closed national security trial. The court accused him of election disruption and contacts with overseas groups. His wife contests the proceedings, while rights advocates call for his release and the authorities defend the verdict.
Geopolitics··Evening
Au receives a lengthy prison sentence
A court in Macao, China’s special administrative region, sentenced former pro-democracy legislator Au Kam-san to 12 years and 6 months in prison on Friday after a closed national security trial. The 69-year-old was convicted of subverting state power.[1], [2]
The court alleged that he spread false information during 2023 and 2024 to disrupt the territory’s 2024 leadership election. It also accused him of working with hostile overseas organisations and passing confidential information to groups abroad.[1]
His wife challenges the proceedings
Au’s wife, Virginia Cheang, described the prosecution in a public letter as political and groundless. She objected to the contrast between closed hearings and a public verdict. The court said Au had shown a high degree of intent, while acknowledging that he was a first offender and had admitted a considerable portion of the alleged facts.[1]
A former legislator faces the security law
Au’s arrest last year was the first publicly announced prosecution under Macao’s 2009 security law. A former teacher, he served in the legislature for 20 years before leaving in 2021 and helped organise commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen events. Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Maya Wang urged the European Union and Portugal to seek his release. Macao’s government and China’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs office supported the ruling.[1]
