Macau to hold first closed-door national security trial next week

MACAU, September 12 — Macau is set to hold its inaugural national security trial with closed doors next week, according to a court announcement made on Friday. The individual facing charges is former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San, who has been accused of "subversion". In May 2023, Macau broadened the purview of national security laws, and a recent bill authorized judges to conduct national security trials in private.

Legal experts and rights organizations have cautioned that this provision could potentially undermine governmental operations and affect a wide array of judicial proceedings. Au Kam San, 69, became the inaugural suspect under the enhanced law in July 2025, with authorities accusing him of having connections to foreign entities that posed a threat to China.

The judge deemed it necessary to hold the trial behind closed doors to safeguard national security interests, as stated in a statement released by Macau's final appeals court. Following Au's arrest, scant information about the case surfaced until July, when judicial authorities confirmed that he would be tried for subversion and other related offenses.

The court affirmed the trial decision through the Macau national security committee, following a request from the city's public prosecutions office. The proceedings are scheduled to commence on September 16. Au, a retired primary school teacher, had been one of Macau's longest-serving pro-democracy legislators prior to deciding not to run for re-election in 2021.

His legal team, represented by London-based barrister Michael Polak, expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the inability for Au to appoint an independent attorney, highlighting the potential for a compromised judicial process. Au's daughter, Cherry, reiterated the family's demand for a fair trial, emphasizing the importance of upholding due process and acknowledging Au's lifelong commitment to Macau. Under Macau's security law, subversion offenses carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.