Hong Kong’s community has thrown its weight behind the conviction of former media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying for violating the special administrative region’s National Security Law, and rejected attempts by Western countries to glorify and whitewash his criminal behavior.

The groundswell of support came after three High Court judges on Monday found Lai guilty on all three charges against him – two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security; and one of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.

Three companies related to Lai, who founded the now-shuttered Apple Daily -- Apple Daily Ltd, Apple Daily Printing Ltd and AD Internet Ltd -- were also found guilty on charges of conspiring to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display, and/or reproduce seditious publications; and conspiring to commit collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security.

The Law Society of Hong Kong expressed confidence and trust in the city’s judiciary and judges, saying there have been no reports of unfair treatment of Lai whatsoever during the open trial. It said Hong Kong isn’t the only jurisdiction to have enacted laws to safeguard national security, as many other jurisdictions have similar legislation.

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The Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong said the verdict is an act of justice to uphold national security and the authority of the rule of law.

The alliance believes Lai’s case fully demonstrates the independent and fair nature of the SAR’s judiciary and has once again proved that “laws must be obeyed, and violators must be prosecuted” is the core principle of the rule of law upheld by Hong Kong society.

Political heavyweights also joined in hitting back at the West’s criticisms of the conviction.

READ MORE: HK blasts ‘despicable' Western smears after Jimmy Lai verdict

“Jimmy Lai is neither a democracy nor freedom fighter as some Western media and politicians would like to portray him,” said Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, on his social media platform.

“For years, he had led a campaign to try to turn the high degree of autonomy to which Hong Kong is entitled under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law into de facto independence of Hong Kong, undermining the sovereignty that China has over Hong Kong. He was emboldened enough to then conspire to overthrow the Chinese authorities. He might be an ignorant moron, but definitely not innocent,” Leung said.

Leung -- a former Hong Kong Chief Executive -- also laid bare the double standards of the United Kingdom government, saying if Lai had been in Britain, he would also have been dealt with under the law for sure for what he had done.

READ MORE: CE: Lai conviction ‘upholds justice, safeguards core values’

Executive Council member and senior counsel Ronny Tong Ka-wah said he’s disappointed over the Western media’s biased coverage of Lai’s case. He noted that Hong Kong’s legal sector has consistently sought to explain the rationale behind the case to the West, but the outcome has not been satisfactory.

Tong also backed the firm stance of the central authorities and HKSAR officials in deterring intervention by Western countries.