Macau’s first national security trial opens Wednesday
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Macau’s Court of First Instance will begin hearing the city’s first national security case on September 16 in a closed-door criminal trial. The defendant is former Macau legislator Au Kam-san (區錦新), who was arrested last year and has now been in the legal process for more than a year. Court authorities said the hearing will not be open to the public after a request by prosecutors was confirmed by the Macau Special Administrative Region Committee for Safeguarding National Security. The case concerns three alleged offences, including subversion of state power, links with organisations or individuals outside Macau to endanger national security, and breach of secrecy.
Key Points
- The Office of the President of the Court of Final Appeal announced on September 11 that the trial will open on September 16 in the criminal division of the Court of First Instance.
- The hearing will be conducted in private because the presiding judge said an open trial could harm national security interests.
- The decision followed a prosecution request and confirmation by the Macau SAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security, according to the court announcement.
- Au Kam-san, 68, served as a Macau legislator for 20 years and said in 2021 that he would not seek another term
- The Court of First Instance completed pre-trial proceedings in July and found sufficient basis to proceed on three alleged offences as a principal offender
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case offers a closely watched example of how another special administrative region is applying its national security framework in court for the first time. The use of a closed hearing, backed by prosecutors, the national security committee and the judge, also shows how judicial procedure can be shaped when authorities say national security interests are at stake.