Macau to hold closed-door trial in first national security case against democrat

Macau is set to hold its first national security trial behind closed doors next week, according to a court announcement on Friday. The case involves former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San, who was charged with "subversion" in July 2025. This marks the first instance of a trial being held privately under the expanded national security laws introduced in May 2023.

The decision to hold the trial in private was made to prevent any compromise of national security interests, according to Macau's final appeals court. Au, 69, was arrested in July 2025 and is the first person to face such a trial under the new law. He was initially described as a primary school teacher and one of Macau's longest-serving pro-democracy legislators before choosing not to run for re-election in 2021.

The trial is scheduled to begin on September 16, with a court-appointed lawyer continuing to represent Au, who is a Portuguese national. Macau's security law allows for imprisonment of up to 25 years for subversion offenses. Lawyers and rights groups have expressed concerns that this new rule could undermine government departments and apply to various judicial cases, not just national security cases.

Au's daughter, Cherry, highlighted the family's lack of access to him, urging for a fair trial, due process, and respect for his contributions to Macau.