Macau Pro-Democracy Figure Au Kam San Arrested for "Collusion with Foreign Forces"
In a significant and unprecedented development, Au Kam San, a prominent Macau democrat and former lawmaker, has been arrested on charges of "collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security." This marks what is believed to be the first time Macau has directly invoked its national security law (originally enacted in 2009 and significantly expanded in 2023) for such a high-profile case.
Details of the Arrest:
Identity: Local media have widely identified the arrested individual as Au Kam San, a 68-year-old veteran democratic campaigner. Au served nearly two decades as a lawmaker in Macau's Legislative Assembly before stepping down in 2021. He was also a co-founder of several influential pro-democracy groups, including the New Macau Association, and was known for leading protests against perceived opaque governance and social inequalities.
Allegations: According to a statement released by Macau's Judiciary Police (PJ) on Thursday, July 31, 2025, a suspect identified only by the surname Au was taken from his residence for investigation on Wednesday, July 30. Police allege that since 2022, Au has been in contact with an unnamed "anti-China organization abroad." He is accused of providing this group with "large amounts of false and seditious information" for public exhibitions overseas and online. The statement further claims that Au sought to incite hatred against Beijing, disrupt Macau's 2024 election for its leader, and "provoke hostile actions by foreign countries against Macau."
Evidence Cited: The PJ stated that their investigation revealed "strong indications" that the suspect had "long colluded with hostile forces outside the country" and that there were "coordinated efforts" involved in "assisting others in gathering or openly disseminating false and blatantly distorted information."
Wife Questioned: Au's wife, Virginia Cheang, was also reportedly summoned to the prosecution's office on Thursday and was listed as a "witness."
Context and Significance:
This arrest occurs amidst a broader regional trend of tightening national security laws and increasing crackdowns on dissent in territories under Beijing's control. Neighboring Hong Kong, in particular, has seen numerous arrests of activists, the closure of media outlets, and the disbandment of civil society groups under its own stringent national security laws.
The detention of Au Kam San, a long-standing and widely recognized figure in Macau's pro-democracy movement, signals a new phase in the city's political landscape. It indicates that Macau is increasingly aligning its approach to national security with that of mainland China and Hong Kong. This suggests a reduced tolerance for any activities perceived as challenging Beijing's authority, even those that were previously accepted forms of criticism or advocacy within Macau's "one country, two systems" framework.
The specific "foreign entity" Au was allegedly in contact with has not been disclosed by the authorities.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
