For their involvement in mass rallies in China, the faces of the Hong Kong’s Umbrella protests have been found guilty of public nuisance charges in their bid to call for greater autonomy.
Among them are three prominent activists who are seen as the faces of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
Hey face possible jail term of up to seven years for partaking in the “Umbrella” protests in 2014.
And for the right to choose their own leader, thousands of Chinese marched for that cause.
A sociology professor Chan Lin-man, 59 years, law professor Benny Tai, 54 years, and Baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, 74 years were amongst those convicted for the offense.
“No matter what happens today, we will persist on and do not give up,” Mr Tai had told reporters ahead of the verdict.
Mr Tai and Mr Chan were both found guilty of conspiracy to cause public nuisance and influencing others to do the same, according to local news outlets.
Mr Chu was found guilty of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.
But on Thursday, a large crowd still gathered outside the court to cheer the nine activists found guilty.
However, Human rights groups have criticised the ruling of the court, with Humans Rights Watch saying that the court was “sending a terrible message”.
And researcher Maya Wang said this to the BBC, “[This] will likely embolden the government to prosecute more peaceful activists, further chilling free expression in Hong Kong.”