Macau Court Sentences Former Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Au Kam San To 12 Years In Prison

A court in Macau has sentenced former lawmaker and pro-democracy campaigner Au Kam San, 69, to 12 years and six months in prison for offences including subversion against the political power of the state. He was accused of sharing information with organisations outside Macau to encourage opposition to the Chinese and Macau governments. His closed-door trial has raised concerns among critics and international observers about judicial transparency, freedom of expression and political pluralism. The conviction is the first publicly known prosecution under Macau's national security law since its introduction in 2009.

A court in Macau has sentenced former lawmaker and pro-democracy campaigner Au Kam San to 12 years and six months in prison in the Chinese territory's first publicly known national security prosecution.
The 69-year-old was convicted of several offences, including subversion against the political power of the state. The ruling marks a significant development in the use of Macau's national security legislation against a former political representative and campaigner.
Au was accused of supplying information to organisations outside Macau that authorities described as hostile to China. Prosecutors alleged that the information was used to encourage opposition to the Macau government and the central Chinese authorities.
The case has attracted attention because of Au's long involvement in Macau's political life and his participation in activities commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

COURT SAYS AU WORKED WITH EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS

According to the court, Au provided assistance and collaborated with organisations outside Macau over an extended period. Judges said he helped collect, prepare and distribute images and information containing political messages that challenged the authority of the Chinese state.
The court also accused him of attempting to create hostility among Macau residents towards China's central government.
In its explanation of the conviction, the court said Au intended to undermine the country's political system and challenge the authority established under China's Constitution.
The charges included offences under Macau's national security framework, which criminalises activities authorities consider threats to national sovereignty, security and political stability.
Au denied the accusations, maintaining that his activities were connected to political expression and public affairs. However, the court found him guilty and imposed the lengthy prison sentence.

FIRST PUBLICLY KNOWN PROSECUTION UNDER MACAU'S SECURITY LAW

Au was detained in July 2025, becoming the first publicly known person prosecuted under Macau's national security law since its introduction in 2009.
The legislation was established to address activities considered threats to China's national security. It covers offences including treason, secession, subversion and other conduct defined as endangering state security.
Although the law had existed for years, Au's prosecution brought renewed attention to how it could be applied against individuals involved in political activism.
The case is particularly significant because Macau has generally experienced a less prominent pro-democracy movement than neighbouring Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the prosecution has raised questions about the future space available for political criticism and organised dissent in the territory.

CLOSED-DOOR TRIAL RAISES FAIRNESS CONCERNS

Au's trial was conducted behind closed doors and concluded in September after three days of proceedings.
A judge had ruled against holding an open trial, explaining that restrictions were necessary to protect national security interests.
The decision attracted criticism from observers concerned about transparency, public scrutiny and the defendant's ability to receive a fair hearing.
Closed trials can limit public access to evidence and legal arguments, making it more difficult for independent observers to assess how proceedings are conducted. In politically sensitive cases, such restrictions often generate additional debate about judicial independence and the balance between national security and individual rights.
Critics of the prosecution argue that the case reflects China's increasingly strong emphasis on national security and its limited tolerance for political dissent. They also question whether Macau's legal protections provide sufficient space for individuals to criticise government policies.

EUROPEAN UNION PREVIOUSLY CONDEMNED AU'S ARREST

The European Union criticised Au's arrest in 2025, saying it added to concerns about what it described as the erosion of political pluralism in Macau.
Political pluralism refers to the ability of different political groups, opinions and movements to participate in public life and express competing views.
The EU's reaction highlighted international concern about the implications of the prosecution for freedom of expression and political participation in the territory.
Chinese and Macau authorities, however, maintain that national security laws are necessary to protect the country's sovereignty, constitutional order and stability.
The disagreement reflects a wider international debate over how governments should balance national security measures with civil liberties and political freedoms.

AU SPENT TWO DECADES IN MACAU'S LEGISLATURE

Au Kam San was a prominent figure in Macau's political community. He served in the territory's legislature for approximately 20 years before stepping down in 2021.
During his political career, he was associated with pro-democracy activities and public campaigns calling for greater political participation.
He also co-organised annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing, when Chinese authorities used military force to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations.
The commemorations became an important part of Macau's civil society activities and provided an opportunity for residents to remember those killed during the crackdown.
His imprisonment has therefore drawn attention beyond the specific charges, particularly among people concerned about the future of political activism and historical remembrance in Macau.

MACAU'S POLITICAL POSITION WITHIN CHINA

Macau was formerly administered by Portugal before sovereignty was transferred to China in December 1999. It became a Special Administrative Region under the principle of one country, two systems.
Under this arrangement, Macau maintains a separate legal and economic system from mainland China, although Beijing retains authority over defence and foreign affairs.
Hong Kong operates under a similar arrangement, but the political developments in the two territories have followed different paths.
Macau's pro-democracy movement has historically had less influence than Hong Kong's, while political institutions in the territory have remained dominated by groups supportive of Beijing.
Au's conviction has renewed discussion about how much political independence and freedom of expression remain available under Macau's existing system.

AU'S SENTENCE RENEWS DEBATE OVER POLITICAL FREEDOMS

The 12-year-and-six-month sentence is expected to keep attention focused on the relationship between national security enforcement and political rights in Macau.
For supporters of stronger security legislation, the case demonstrates the authorities' willingness to act against activities they consider threats to the state. Critics, however, see the conviction as a warning about the risks facing people who organise political campaigns or openly challenge government policies.
The case also raises questions about whether Macau's traditional political environment will continue to accommodate a wider range of opinions.
As Au begins his prison sentence, international attention is likely to remain on the treatment of political activists, the application of national security legislation and the future of political pluralism in the Chinese territory.