The court ruled that Au displayed significant intent to cause harm, citing alleged collaboration with hostile overseas organizations to advance his political agenda. The former teacher spent two decades in Macao's legislature before stepping down in 2021, and he admitted to a substantial portion of the facts presented at trial. Both the local administration and Beijing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office endorsed the severe ruling. Au's family strongly condemned the trial as baseless persecution, while international observers urged foreign governments to intervene.
Key points
Authorities in Macao and Beijing fully endorsed the unprecedented national security rulin…: Authorities in Macao and Beijing fully endorsed the unprecedented national security ruling against the veteran former legislator.
Human rights advocates and family members condemned the proceedings as political persecut…: Human rights advocates and family members condemned the proceedings as political persecution aimed at silencing peaceful government critics.
The severe penalty in Macao arrived alongside an additional ten-year national security se…: The severe penalty in Macao arrived alongside an additional ten-year national security sentence handed down to activist Joshua Wong in Hong Kong.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Court finds Au Kam-san guilty of spreading false information and subversion in bid to disrupt Macao’s 2024 elections.
A Macao court has sentenced pro-democracy ex-politician Au Kam-san to 12 years and six months in prison after a closed-door national security trial.
The ruling on Friday found 69-year-old Au guilty of subverting state power by spreading false information in 2023-2024 to disrupt Macao’s 2024 leadership election.
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The court said in a statement that Au also worked with “hostile organisations” abroad to spread a political agenda, and leaked confidential information to groups overseas.
“Although the defendant is a first-time offender and admitted to a considerable portion of the criminal facts, he demonstrated a high degree of intent. The degree of unlawfulness and the potential consequences of his crimes are both very serious,” the…
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