When former Macao pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San was arrested in July 2025, his family and observers of the politics in the Chinese special administrative region were shocked. A year on, little is known about his case even by his daughter. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Au is the first publicly known arrest under Macao's national security law since its 2009 enactment. Critics say his case signals Beijing's emphasis on security and intolerance of dissenting voices, even though Macao's pro-democracy activism has never been as influential as the movement in neighboring Hong Kong.
Au is accused of providing false information to anti-China organizations overseas to incite hatred against Beijing and the government in Macao. He has faced several restrictions since his arrest including the choice of a lawyer, raising concerns over the fairness of a future trial.
Au's daughter in London, Au Hon I, said a lawyer found by the family was not allowed to see him in prison and authorities seized books from his home linked to the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement. "For almost a year my family could not speak with my father as he was kept in cruel incommunicado detention," she said. "Now we are still unable to speak to him about his case nor provide him with a lawyer so he can properly fight his case."
The family learned through a court statement that the 69-year-old had a preliminary proceeding on July 2, she said. The statement said his lawyer was appointed by the court and approved by Au. "He always believed in the justice system of Macao," his daughter said. "He believed it so much that he feels that he will be protected by the very own justice system that is putting him in where he is right now."
The Macao government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Macao is a former Portuguese colony that has operated, like Hong Kong, as a special administrative region since its return to Chinese rule in 1999. Au served as a lawmaker in the legislature dominated by Beijing loyalists before stepping down in 2021.
Prior to his arrest, Au remained a rare voice who regularly criticized government measures and political development on Facebook and in interviews, although many considered his critiques to be mild. When he was arrested, police alleged Au had colluded with an unspecified anti-China group outside the city and provided false and seditious materials for public display online or abroad. He also was accused of maintaining long-term contact with multiple entities beyond Macao that oppose China and repeatedly providing false information to them or their media outlets.
A court upheld the indictment on July 2, ruling Au was the "perpetrator" in multiple offenses including subverting state power, breach of confidentiality and establishing contact with organizations, groups or people outside Macao to commit acts endangering national security. A defendant convicted on multiple charges could face up to 30 years in prison.
The judge also approved the appointment of Au's lawyer, citing the need to protect national security interests and a binding opinion issued by the city's national security committee, which is led by Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai. The court said Au's rights were ensured by law. The prosecution office website said this kind of preliminary hearing is not open to the public. There was no indication whether the trial would be public and a date was not announced. Macao law allows judges to hold proceedings behind closed doors when the court and the security committee decide hearing a case publicly could harm national security.
While Au's case has no precedent in Macao, Hong Kong has made over 400 arrests.