Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city's court on Monday, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Hours after Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy newspaper owner in Hong Kong, was found guilty on sedition charges, his daughter told reporters she hopes international pressure can spare her father.

Taiwan, on the other hand, has condemned the ruling and accused Hong Kong of "exploiting the draconian national security legislation to stifle freedom of speech... and politically persecuting pro-democracy figures".

By Jessie Pang, James Pomfret and Angie Teo HONG KONG/TAIPEI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Several former colleagues of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai at the Apple Daily newspaper reacted with dismay at his national security conviction,

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, was convicted in a landmark national security trial. He faces a possible life sentence.

Former Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, a vocal critic of China's Communist Party, has been convicted of conspiracies of sedition and foreign collusion under a national security law

Britain should make pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai's release a condition of establishing closer relations with China, Lai's son Sebastien said on Monday after his father was found guilty of sedition and collusion by Hong Kong's High Court.

He attributed his rags-to-riches ascent to the freedoms of Hong Kong, and has paid a hefty price for defending them.