Macau pro-democracy activist Au Kam San sentenced To 12.5 years in jail

A prominent pro-democracy activist in Macau was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison on Friday after being convicted of subversion and other national security offences, marking the first known national security trial in the China-governed gambling enclave, local broadcaster TDM reported.Au Kam San, 69, was arrested in July 2025 on allegations of colluding with foreign forces to threaten national security. His trial was held behind closed doors on September 16 and 18, according to TDM.According to news agency Reuters, Au is among Macau's best-known democratic campaigners and served as a legislator in the former Portuguese colony for nearly 20 years. His court-appointed lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The sentencing came a day after prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, who became an internationally recognised figure during the financial hub's democracy movement, received a 10-year prison term on charges of colluding with foreign entities under Hong Kong's national security law.Macau's court of first instance found Au guilty of subverting state power, establishing connections with foreign organisations or individuals to carry out activities threatening national security, and violating secrecy provisions.Citing the court, TDM reported that although Au had no previous criminal record and admitted to a substantial part of the offences, the judges considered his intention to be particularly serious, with the unlawful nature of his actions and their potential consequences deemed extremely grave.However, the court cleared him of two other subversion charges, citing insufficient evidence.According to TDM, the combined sentencing range for the offences was between 11 years and three months and 19 years and six months. After considering the case, the court handed down a consolidated prison sentence of 12 years and six months.Over the years, Au had campaigned for democratic reforms and initiatives aimed at strengthening civil society in Macau, which was transferred from Portuguese to Chinese administration in 1999, two years after neighbouring Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule following the end of British colonial rule.Human Rights Watch criticised the proceedings, alleging violations of due process. The organisation said the sentence imposed by the Macau authorities sent a chilling warning to peaceful critics in the territory.Pro-democracy activists and public voices have faced mounting restrictions and a sustained crackdown across the Chinese-administered territories since Hong Kong's massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.In February, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, one of China's most prominent critics, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for collusion with foreign forces and sedition. His landmark trial also drew widespread international criticism.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.