A Macau court has sentenced former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San, 69, to 12.5 years in prison following a closed-door trial — marking the territory's first prosecution under its national security law since the legislation was enacted in 2009. The verdict, reported on 7 November, is being widely cited as evidence that President Xi Jinping's sweeping crackdown on dissent has extended to the former Portuguese colony.

What the Court Found

The court found Au Kam San guilty on two counts: subversion against the political power of the state, and establishing contact with organisations and individuals outside Macau to commit acts endangering national security. According to the court's findings, Au had 'personally provided, over a long period of time, assistance and collaboration to external hostile organisations in the collection, preparation, and public dissemination of various images and information that were manifestly filled with political claims of a subversive nature against the political authority of the state.' The judge opted for a closed hearing, citing the need to protect national security interests from being undermined.

Who Is Au Kam San

A teacher-turned-lawmaker, Au Kam San served as a legislator for two decades in a legislature dominated by Beijing loyalists before stepping down in 2021. He holds joint Portuguese citizenship and is considered one of the most prominent opposition figures in Macau. He was also a key organiser of Macau's annual commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. His arrest in 2025 was the first publicly known prosecution under Macau's national security law in the law's history.

Family Allegations and Legal Concerns

Since his arrest, Au's family has alleged that he has been barred from contacting them and from accessing a private lawyer of his choosing. His trial was conducted behind closed doors in September and concluded within three days. Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, who has been assisting the family, described the proceedings as a 'sham' that has brought shame upon Macau. Polak further said the 'manufactured allegations' against Au had brought the territory 'in line with the most repressive states around the world, where the executive has the power to imprison those with whom it disagrees, with no semblance of a proper, fair legal process.'

International Rights Groups Respond

Human Rights Watch condemned the prosecution, stating that it sends 'a chilling message to all peaceful critics in the territory.' Maya Wang, the group's Deputy Asia Director, said: 'The authorities' silencing of pro-democracy voices in Macao reflects the Chinese government's broader assault on dissent and fundamental freedoms.' Critics argue that the case mirrors the pattern seen in Hong Kong, where national security legislation has been used to prosecute opposition figures since 2020.

Broader Context: Xi's Crackdown Reaches Macau

Macau, like Hong Kong, has operated as a special administrative region under the 'one country, two systems' framework since its handover from Portugal to China in 1999. Critics argue that Xi Jinping's administration has systematically eroded civil liberties across both territories. Notably, Macau's national security law predates Hong Kong's by over a decade, but this is its first known enforcement against a prominent political figure — a development that signals a significant shift in how authorities are willing to deploy it. The verdict is likely to draw fresh scrutiny from the European Union and Portugal, given Au's dual citizenship.