By Basant El-Faramawy
Macau's first national security case resulted in a 12.5-year prison sentence for former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San on Friday, following a closed-door trial that raised fairness concerns.
Charges and Accusations
The 69-year-old was found guilty of subverting state power, breach of confidentiality, and colluding with external organizations to endanger national security. The court accused him of long-term cooperation with "hostile organizations" outside Macau to spread subversive ideas and false information, aiming to incite hatred against the central government.
Political Context
Au's arrest last year marked the first prosecution under Macau's national security law enacted in 2009. Critics say the case reflects Beijing's emphasis on security and intolerance of dissent, despite Macau's pro-democracy movement being less influential than Hong Kong's.
Background on Au
A teacher-turned-lawmaker, Au served 20 years in the legislature dominated by Beijing loyalists before stepping down in 2021. He organized commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and was a rare critical voice in Macau, though his critiques were considered mild.
Trial and Due Process Concerns
The trial was held behind closed doors in September, with the judge citing national security interests. Au was represented by a court-appointed lawyer; his family said their chosen lawyer was denied access and they could not communicate with him for nearly a year.
