Macao Court Sentences Former Lawmaker to 12.5 Years in First Security Law Case

Au Kam San will spend the next 12 and a half years in a Macao prison. The 69-year-old former legislator received the sentence on Friday in the first known prosecution under the territory's national security law. The ruling comes from a trial held behind closed doors, a procedure that has drawn criticism from legal observers and family members.

The court found Au guilty of subverting state power, breaching confidentiality, and contacting overseas groups to commit acts endangering national security. According to a court statement, Au worked with hostile organizations for a long period to collect and disseminate political views. The statement claimed these efforts intended to incite hatred against the central government and undermine the country's fundamental system.

The verdict marks the first public use of the law enacted in 2009. Macao, a former Portuguese colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1999, operates as a special administrative region similar to Hong Kong. The court stated that the judge opted for a secret trial to protect national security interests. The proceedings took place in September, with the verdict delivered this week.

Family members dispute the fairness of the process. Virginia Cheang, Au's wife, called the case a political trial and a groundless persecution in a public letter. She requested that authorities allow the family to exchange letters and visit without conditions. Au's daughter, Au Hon I, told the Associated Press that her father is a peaceful family man. She described the ruling as a scary chapter that sets boundaries for citizens' rights.

Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer practicing in Macao, noted that specific details regarding the overseas organizations were not revealed during the secret trial. Menezes argued that the court's statement that Au acknowledged some facts was misleading because Au did not plead guilty. He said the case sends a message to residents that challenging authorities carries serious risks. Menezes also suggested the case serves as a laboratory for Hong Kong.

The court detailed that Au leaked confidential information from closed-door committee meetings in 2021 regarding gaming license renewals. It found he helped overseas groups spread distorted information between 2023 and 2024 to induce foreign actions against China and Macao. The court also cited efforts to undermine the smooth running of the 2024 city leader election. A lawyer appointed by the court represented Au during the proceedings.

Au served in the legislature for 20 years before stepping down in 2021. He was a teacher who entered politics to address social problems. He organized commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and criticized government measures on social media. Many observers considered his critiques mild compared to other activists. The Macao government supported the ruling and said it would strictly enforce the security law.

Michael Polak, Au's international counsel, urged Portugal and the European Union to demand that the Portuguese citizen be allowed to leave Macao. Polak stated that a 12.5-year sentence for a 69-year-old is effectively a sentence for life. China's Foreign Ministry said it opposes external forces using the case to interfere in Macao's affairs. Beijing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said the ruling demonstrates the territory's resolve to safeguard national security.