Two men have been found guilty of working for Chinese intelligence services in the United Kingdom, following a court case that exposed Beijing's efforts to monitor dissidents on British soil.

Chi Leung "Peter" Wai, a UK immigration officer, was among those convicted for using the country's main immigration database to track Hong Kong dissidents living in Britain. The second defendant was identified as a former Hong Kong police officer.

The prosecution alleged that the pair participated in what authorities described as determined measures by the Hong Kong Government and police to extend their reach beyond their territorial jurisdiction. This activity was aimed at targeting individuals who had fled Hong Kong and were living as dissidents in the UK.

Wai's position within the UK immigration system allegedly provided him with access to sensitive databases that could be used to locate and monitor individuals who had sought refuge in Britain following political upheaval in Hong Kong.

The case highlights broader concerns about foreign intelligence operations on British soil, particularly efforts by Chinese authorities to track and potentially intimidate dissidents who have relocated to the UK. The convictions represent a significant development in ongoing tensions between Britain and China over issues related to Hong Kong and surveillance activities.

Both men now face potential prison sentences for their roles in what prosecutors characterized as a coordinated intelligence operation targeting pro-democracy activists and other dissidents from Hong Kong.