A Macao court determined that the former pro-democracy lawmaker worked with external groups between 2023 and 2024 to induce foreign countries to take hostile actions against China and Macao. Judges found him guilty of subverting state power and breaching confidentiality after he allegedly collected and spread false information to incite hatred against the central government. In response, international counsel Michael Polak urged Portugal and the European Union to intervene, while Au's family labeled the trial a political prosecution. The court countered criticism by maintaining that Au exercised his defense rights through appointed counsel and received approval for regular family visits.
Key points
International counsel warned that the twelve-and-a-half-year prison term effectively serv…: International counsel warned that the twelve-and-a-half-year prison term effectively serves as a life sentence for the elderly Portuguese citizen.
Family members and legal observers sharply criticized the trial's lack of transparency an…: Family members and legal observers sharply criticized the trial's lack of transparency and condemned the proceedings as a political prosecution.
Macao's court insisted proper legal procedures were followed, noting the defendant appoin…: Macao's court insisted proper legal procedures were followed, noting the defendant appointed counsel and was granted regular family visits.
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HONG KONG — Macao pro-democracy former lawmaker Au Kam San was sentenced to 12½ years in prison Friday in the Chinese casino hub's first national security case following a closed-door trial that raised concerns about fairness.
Au's arrest last year was the first publicly known prosecution under Macao's national security law since it was enacted in 2009. A Macao court found him guilty of subverting state power, breaching confidentiality and establishing contact with organizations, groups or people outside Macao to commit acts endangering national security.
Critics said that his case reflected Beijing's emphasis on security and intolerance of dissent, even though Macao's pro-democracy movement has never been as influential as that in neighboring Hong Kong.
The 69-year-old assisted and cooperated with "hostile organizations" outside Macao for a long period of time in collecting and disseminating political views laden with ideas of subverting state power and false information, according to a court statement. They conspired to incite hatred among Macao residents against the central government, with an intent to overthrow and undermine the country's fundamental system, it said.
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