MACAO - A Macao court on Friday sentenced former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam-san to 12 years and six months behind bars for subversion of state power and collusion with foreign entities in the semiautonomous Chinese region's first-ever national security trial.
Friday's ruling following a closed-door trial in September was the first case since the former Portuguese colony's homegrown national security law took effect in 2009. Au was arrested in July last year after the legislation was further tightened in 2023.
Macao's Court of First Instance found the 69-year-old "personally assisted and collaborated with hostile foreign organizations in collecting, preparing and openly disseminating numerous political propositions" that clearly constituted subversion of state power, according to its statement.
It was not immediately clear whether Au had admitted to the charges.
The former opposition lawmaker has been remanded in custody since his arrest, with his daughter reportedly saying he had been denied phone calls, family visits and access to legal assistance of his choosing.
In an open letter, Au's wife Virginia Cheang called the entire judicial process against her husband a "political trial" and "unfounded persecution" that degraded his character.
Cheang also appealed to authorities for permission to exchange letters with Au and visit him regularly.
Shortly after the ruling was handed down, Macao authorities said they "respect and fully support" the court's judgment and that the court "thoroughly protected" Au's rights throughout the trial.
Seating in the courtroom's public gallery was limited, with only a few local news outlets able to gain access to the hearing, sources familiar with the matter told Kyodo News.
A European Union diplomat was denied access to the courtroom while trying to attend the hearing.
Human Rights Watch said the conviction sent a "chilling message," and that the trial was "marred by violations of due process and fair trial rights." The advocacy group urged Portugal and the European Union to press for Au's "immediate and unconditional release."
In Beijing, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office described the ruling as a demonstration that national security is an "off-limits" bottom line.
"Anyone or any organization, regardless of their pretext or backing, will be severely punished by law if they dare to engage in acts or activities that endanger national security," the statement said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference the central government firmly supports the punishment and "resolutely opposes any external forces using individual judicial cases to interfere in Macao's internal affairs and China's domestic affairs."
An educator-turned-lawmaker, Au began his political career in 1993 as a municipal councilor. He was elected to the Chinese gaming hub's legislature five times before he announced his retirement in 2021.
The same year, his attempt to hold a vigil to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing was blocked by Macao authorities, which warned the event would "incite subversion."
Before his arrest, Macao authorities disqualified 12 candidates from running in a 2025 legislative election for being "not loyal enough." Au criticized the move on Facebook, saying the authorities had "kicked out people who are not in the circle."
