Macau sentences activist to twelve and a half years in prison
The case is the first known prosecution under the national security law of the Chinese gambling enclave.
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A court in Macau has sentenced former legislator and opposition activist Au Kam San to twelve years and six months in prison. The trial was held behind closed doors and, according to international reports, raises questions about the fairness of the proceedings.
Au Kam San was found guilty of subversion, maintaining ties with foreign organisations with a view to activities that would threaten national security, and violating professional secrecy. The court said that between 2023 and 2024 he had collected and distributed information that prosecutors considered inaccurate or distorted.
According to the indictment, Au intended to encourage foreign governments to take hostile measures against China and Macau. He was also said to have incited hatred of the central Chinese government and sought to disrupt the election of Macau’s chief executive in 2024. Au denied the allegations, according to reports.
It is the first publicly known prosecution under Macau’s national security law since the law was introduced in 2009. The authorities further amended the law in 2023. This gives Macau broader criminal provisions against activities that the Chinese state regards as a threat to national security.
The trial was conducted behind closed doors. This makes it more difficult for independent observers to assess the evidence and the reasoning behind the verdict. Macau’s government, by contrast, says the judge acted in accordance with the law and that the ruling protects security, stability and the principle of one country, two systems.
The conviction comes a day after a new heavy sentence for Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong under its national security law. The two cases are formally unrelated, but according to international media they show how the space for organised opposition in the two Chinese special administrative regions has narrowed further.
Macau retained its own legal and administrative institutions after its handover to China in 1999, but political space has narrowed in recent years. The case against Au is therefore not only an individual criminal case. It is also a test of how much room remains in Macau for political criticism, contacts with foreign organisations and independent civic groups.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Au Kam San has been sentenced to twelve years and six months in prison.
- It is Macau’s first publicly known national security case.
- The court heard the case behind closed doors.
- Macau’s government supports the verdict.
Left
Arguments National security laws must not be used to criminalise political criticism, contacts with foreign organisations or civic oversight.
Values Human rights, democratic opposition, transparent justice and freedom of expression.
Consequences The conviction could deter other activists and organisations and further reduce the remaining space for opposition.
Centre
Arguments A state may act against genuine foreign interference, but it must precisely demonstrate which actions were criminal and provide independent legal safeguards.
Values Legal certainty, state security and accountable institutions.
Consequences Without open evidence, it remains unclear whether the case protects security or shifts political boundaries.
Right
Arguments Foreign organisations attempting to influence elections or the governance of Macau can pose a legitimate security risk.
Values National sovereignty, stability and protection against foreign pressure.
Consequences A severe sentence may, in this view, act as a deterrent, but broad definitions can also affect legitimate international contacts.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The sentence, the nature of the case and the closed trial were confirmed by AP, Reuters and the Macau government. The broader interpretation concerning declining political space is cautiously worded and linked to the succession of national security cases.
- confirmed Au Kam San has been sentenced to twelve years and six months in prison. — Confirmed by AP, Reuters and the Macau government. source
- confirmed It is the first publicly known prosecution under Macau’s national security law. — This characterisation appears in reports by AP and Reuters. source
- confirmed The trial was held behind closed doors. — Reported by AP and international media. source
- confirmed Macau’s government supports the verdict. — Stated in the official government statement. source
Editor's note
The conviction and sentence are established. The substantive allegations come from the verdict and indictment; because the trial was closed, independent scrutiny of the evidence is limited.Sources
- Former pro-democracy lawmaker sentenced to 12½ years in Macao's first national security case — Associated Press
- The Government firmly supports the judicial authorities in ruling the first national security case — Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region
- Macau ex-lawmaker sentenced to 12.5 years in prison in city's first national security trial — Reuters
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „macau china”
- Trouw — „macau china”
- NRC — „macau china”