Macao Courts Sentence Former Pro-Democracy Lawmaker Au Kam San to 12.5 Years in Prison

OPA WIRE, Nov 6 (OPA) — Au was found guilty of subverting state power, breaching confidentiality, and collaborating with external organizations to commit acts endangering national security. The court statement alleged that Au cooperated with hostile overseas entities for a prolonged period to disseminate false information and incite hatred against the central government. Authorities claimed his actions aimed to undermine the country's fundamental system and disrupt the 2024 city leader election.

The trial, held in September behind closed doors, drew sharp criticism from family members, legal experts, and international counsel. Au's wife, Virginia Cheang, denounced the ruling as a groundless political persecution designed to humiliate his character. His daughter, Au Hon I, living in London, described the verdict as a chilling development that strips the city of its safety and civil rights. Jorge Menezes, a Portuguese lawyer practicing in Macao, disputed court claims that Au had confessed, stating that the proceedings lacked transparency and violated fundamental legal dignities.

International counsel Michael Polak urged Portugal and the European Union to intervene and secure the release of Au, who holds Portuguese citizenship. Polak warned that the lengthy prison sentence effectively amounts to a life term given his age. Legal analysts noted that Macao often serves as a testing ground for mainland-backed security measures, mirroring harsher crackdowns observed in neighboring Hong Kong.

Au served as a legislator in Macao for 20 years before stepping down in 2021, earning a reputation as a mild pro-democracy activist and an organizer of local commemorations for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Despite his modest critiques, the Macao government defended the ruling, vowing to strictly enforce national security laws. Beijing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office praised the verdict as proof of the territory's resolve in protecting state security.