The University of Hong Kong (HKU) on Tuesday sacked veteran pro-democracy activist Benny Tai from his tenured position as an associate professor of law, in a move he called “the end of academic freedom” in the Chinese-ruled city.

Tai was a leading figure in Hong Kong’s 2014 “Umbrella” protests, which paralysed the city for 79 days as demonstrators occupied main roads demanding greater democracy.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison last year for two public nuisance offences, but released on bail pending an appeal — a conviction which prompted HKU to begin reviewing his position more than half a year ago.

“It marks the end of academic freedom in Hong Kong,” Tai said on Facebook of the decision by the governing council, which reversed an earlier decision by the university senate that there were not enough grounds for a dismissal.

“Academic institutions in Hong Kong cannot protect their members from internal and outside interferences.”

Tai was also singled out by Beijing officials earlier this month for his role in helping organise an unofficial primary vote for the Opposition pro-democracy camp to select candidates for elections.