Nine leaders of the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement demonstrations in Hong Kong have been found guilty of public nuisance and other charges.

In 2014, protesters shut down the city’s central business district for more than 10 weeks and the government’s headquarters were laid under siege in protest of Beijing’s efforts to control elections.

Thousands set up camp on major routes and several hundred people were arrested as they campaigned for the right of the city’s people to choose their own leader.

Those convicted on Tuesday are law professor Benny Tai, pastor Chu Yiu-ming, retired sociology professor Chan Kin-man, two student leaders, two politicians, a former politician and a political activist.

Human rights campaigners have warned that the convictions will stifle freedom of expression and could lead to more prosecutions of peaceful activists.

One of the movement’s leaders, Chan Kin-man, said he was worried about the impact it would have on the movement’s legacy.

“We are more concerned about how this movement will be recognised by the people of Hong Kong,” he said.

Supporters stood outside the courthouse and raised yellow umbrellas, which were a symbol of the protests.

Although the movement failed to win any concessions from the Hong Kong government, leader Benny Tai said the spirit of the protests still lived on.

“I have the confidence, many people today, with me together, we will continue to strive for Hong Kong’s democracy. And we will persist and we will not give up,” he said.

Mr Tai, Mr Chan and Mr Chu were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, and Mr Tai and Mr Chan were additionally convicted of inciting others to cause a public nuisance.

The other six leaders were found guilty of inciting others to cause a public nuisance, as well as inciting people to incite others to cause a public nuisance.

Each charge could carry a maximum penalty of seven years.

All of the defendants pleaded not guilty, saying their prosecutions were politically motivated.

However, China’s foreign ministry supported the guilty verdicts as the protests “seriously damaged the prosperity, stability and normal life order” of the city’s population.

Hong Kong is a former British colony which was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997 under the agreement the city would be able to keep its own laws, economic system and civil rights for 50 years.

Calls for greater democracy have been heavily opposed by China’s ruling Communist Party, which is headed by authoritarian leader President Xi Jinping.

Three student campaigners were jailed in 2017 for their roles in the Umbrella Movement.

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