Macau jails pro-democracy campaigner in city's first national security case

Macau's former lawmaker, Au Kam San, has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for subversion, marking the city's first known national security trial. The 69-year-old was arrested in July 2025 and tried behind closed doors on September 16 and 18.

According to the Macau Court of First Instance, Au was found guilty of subverting state power, collaborating with foreign entities to commit acts endangering national security, and violating secrecy. Although he admitted to some of the criminal acts, the court deemed the intent extremely high, and the consequences exceptionally grave.

The sentence is a day after Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong received a 10-year jail term for a similar charge under Hong Kong's national security law. Despite admitting to substantial criminal acts, Au's first-time offender status and the prosecution's insufficient evidence led to the acquittal on two additional counts. The court's sentence range was between 11 years and 3 months and 19 years and 6 months, but the judge imposed a single, consolidated sentence of 12 years and 6 months.

Pro-democracy advocates in Macau have faced increasing pressure following Hong Kong's 2019 protest movement. In February, Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong critic, was sentenced to 20 years for collusion with foreign forces and sedition. Critics argue that the proceedings against Au and the length of his sentence send a chilling message to peaceful critics in the territory.