Au Kam San, a prominent pro-democracy activist, was sentenced to 12 years and six months for subversion, making it the first recorded national security trial in Macau under Chinese governance. (Pic Credit: X Handle)
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. Au is among Macau’s best-known democratic campaigners and served as a legislator in the former Portuguese colony for nearly 20 years, according to news agency Reuters.
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. His court-appointed lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 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. However, the court cleared him of two other subversion charges, citing insufficient evidence.
The combined sentencing range for the offences was between 11 years and three months and 19 years and six months, according to TDM. After considering the case, the court handed down a consolidated prison sentence of 12 years and six months.