A London judge has dismissed a terrorism charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, the Kneecap rapper who goes by Mo Chara. The musician’s defense team had argued that the charge—stemming from a November 2024 incident in which Mo Chara allegedly displayed the Hezbollah flag during a concert—fell outside the statute of limitations, and the judge agreed.
“I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] and AG [Attorney General] consent within the six-month statutory time limit,” Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said, according to BBC News NI. He added that the court had “no jurisdiction to try the charge.”
Mo Chara and his Kneecap bandmates have been vocal advocates for Palestinian rights and harsh critics of Israel. The Irish rappers have also denounced Hezbollah and Hamas, two militant groups that are considered terrorist organizations by the United Kingdom.
“This entire process was never about me,” Mo Chara told suporters outside the courthouse. “It was never about any threat to the public; it was never about terrorism—a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress.”
“It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up,” he added. “Your attempts to silence us have failed because we’re right and you’re wrong.”
Kneecap recently canceled a U.S. tour, citing the shows proximity to Mo Chara’s court date. Kneecap had still planned to play October concerts in Canada, but they have been barred from entering the country, with a Canadian official accusing the group of amplifying political violence and displaying antisemitic symbols. Kneecap have also been banned from Hungary, and a government spokesman also cited the band’s alleged antisemitism and support for terrorism. Kneecap have opposed both bans.
