Macau’s Court of First Instance convicted Au Kam San of subversion of state power, establishing links with foreign entities, and violating secrecy. Although the former lawmaker admitted to a substantial portion of the acts and was acquitted on two counts due to insufficient evidence, the court stressed his high intent and the grave potential consequences. Judges settled on a consolidated 12.5-year term from a possible range of up to 19.5 years. Human Rights Watch condemned the trial, citing substantial due process violations during the proceedings.
Key points
The legal proceedings against Au Kam San represent the first known national security tria…: The legal proceedings against Au Kam San represent the first known national security trial in Macau's history.
Rights organizations warned that the severe punishment sends a chilling message to peacef…: Rights organizations warned that the severe punishment sends a chilling message to peaceful political critics across Macau.
The verdict coincided with harsh national security sentences handed down to prominent Hon…: The verdict coincided with harsh national security sentences handed down to prominent Hong Kong figures Joshua Wong and Jimmy Lai.
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Au Kam San was arrested in July 2025 for collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security and tried behind closed doors.
HONG KONG: A leading Macau democrat was jailed for 12.5 years on Friday (Nov 6) on charges of subversion, in the China-ruled gambling hub's first known national security trial, local broadcaster TDM reported.
Au Kam San, 69, was arrested in July 2025 for collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security and tried behind closed doors on Sep 16 and 18, TDM said.
Au is one of Macau's most prominent democratic campaigners who served for nearly two decades as a lawmaker in the former Portuguese colony. His lawyer, who was appointed by the court, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
His sentencing comes a day after Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, who became the global face of the financial hub's pro-democracy movement, was sentenced to 10 years in jail on a charge of collusion with foreign entities under the city's national security law.
Macau's Court of First Instance found Au guilty of subversion of state…
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