Ex-lawmaker jailed in Macau's first national security trial

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 6 Nov, 13:22 · Archive

Macau has sentenced pro-democracy former lawmaker Au Kam San to 12 years and six months in jail in the territory's first national security case.

A Macau court has sentenced pro-democracy former lawmaker Au Kam San to 12 years and six months in prison on Friday in the Chinese territory's first prosecution under its national security law. The 69-year-old was convicted of subversion against the state and other offences following a three-day trial that ended in September.

Prosecutors accused Au of assisting and collaborating with external hostile organisations by collecting, preparing and disseminating information described as manifestly filled with political claims of a subversive nature against the state. The court also found he spread false information during 2023 and 2024 in an attempt to disrupt Macau's 2024 election, and that he leaked confidential information to groups overseas. These activities took place over a long period of time, prosecutors alleged.

Au was arrested in July 2025 after serving in Macau's legislature for two decades before resigning in 2021. He had also helped organise Macau's annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. The court ordered the trial to be held behind closed doors, saying this was necessary to protect national security interests. Macau's authorities did not publicly disclose the details of the case.

The court statement said that although Au was a first-time offender who admitted to considerable portions of the criminal facts, he demonstrated a high degree of intent and the potential consequences of his crimes were very serious. Au was charged with seven offences in total and found guilty of four of them.

Au's wife Virginia Cheang condemned the ruling in a public letter, describing it as a political trial and a groundless persecution. She questioned the legitimacy of holding a closed-door trial and then announcing a public verdict. Human Rights Watch called on the European Union and Portugal to push for his release, saying the sentence sends a chilling message to peaceful critics.

Macau's government and China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs office both backed the sentence. The territory's national security law has been in effect since 2009 and was revised in 2023 and again in 2025 to broaden its scope and allow for closed-door trials.

How it is being reported

• Macao sentences pro-democracy ex-politician to 12.5 years in jailCourt accuses Au Kam-san of spreading false information and subversion in an attempt to disrupt Macao’s 2024 elections.Al Jazeera · 6 Nov, 11:08
• Macau jails pro-democracy campaigner in city's first national security caseAu Kam San was sentenced to 12 years and six months' jail for "subversion against the political power of the state".BBC World · 6 Nov, 06:46
• Macao jails ex-lawmaker in first national security trialAu Kam San co-organized annual vigils for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing, something previously tolerated in Macao.The Japan Times · 6 Nov, 06:45
• Ex-lawmaker jailed in Macau's first national security trialPro-democracy former lawmaker Au Kam San was found guilty of "subversion against the political power of the State." He was handed a prison sentence of 12-and-a-half years.DW News · 6 Nov, 04:54

In this story: Au Kam San · Virginia Cheang · Macau · China · Human Rights Watch

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