Macau court to try pro-democracy activist Au Kam San behind closed doors
The trial of former Macau legislator and Portuguese citizen Au Kam San will be held in secret to protect state security interests.
The Macau judiciary announced that the upcoming trial of ex-deputy Au Kam San will be conducted without public access, citing the need to safeguard state security. Au is accused of subverting state power and establishing links with external groups to act against security, offenses that carry a possible sentence of up to 25 years. He has been held in preventive detention since his arrest earlier this year.
Under a law passed in March, the Commission for the Defense of State Security must approve any defence lawyer, and judges may order closed hearings when publicity could harm security interests. Au’s counsel has been appointed by the court after receiving a binding opinion from the commission. The case has drawn criticism from his daughter, who says the detention breaches the 1987 Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration.
