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On September 26, 2025, the Woolwich Crown Court dropped terrorism charges against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara of the Irish rap group Kneecap, due to a crucial procedural mishap by the prosecution.
The allegations stemmed from an incident involving a Hezbollah flag displayed at a musical performance, igniting discussions on the boundaries between free speech and political activism.
Why Were the Terrorism Charges Against Mo Chara Dismissed?
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring dismissed the case, emphasizing that the prosecution failed to meet a critical deadline. Legal protocol mandates that both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General must consent to charges within a six-month timeframe, but their approvals arrived a day too late.
The judge criticized the prosecution’s argument that they could wait for consent until the court proceedings as nonsensical, ultimately ruling the case invalid.
Mo Chara faced charges under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag in a manner perceived as endorsing a proscribed terrorist organization. In the UK, Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist group, rendering the public display of its emblems unlawful.
Kneecap’s Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) delivers a speech to supporters outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, after the terrorism case against him was thrown out. pic.twitter.com/tYwLNDCQ4D
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) September 26, 2025
What Exactly Was Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh Accused Of?
Under the Terrorism Act, the rapper was charged with showing a Hezbollah flag in a way that suggested support for a banned terrorist group. Britain classifies Hezbollah as terrorist, making the display of its symbols illegal.
The charge came from a November 2024 concert when he allegedly wore the flag and chanted militant slogans. Liam said the flag was thrown onstage by a fan and he didn’t initially know its meaning.
How Did Mo Chara and His Supporters Respond?
The courtroom cheered the dismissal loudly. Outside, Ó hAnnaidh wore a Palestinian scarf and told supporters that the case was a political attack silencing critics of Israel’s Gaza policy.
He said the case never concerned terrorism or public danger, but freedom to speak about Gaza. His lawyer called the case unjust and flawed, and the band’s manager celebrated on social media, saying the ruling was a defeat for political policing.
What Impact Does This Decision Have on Kneecap?
This is the group’s second legal win recently after beating the UK government over a canceled arts grant. Yet the band faces ongoing obstacles internationally: they canceled a U.S. tour, were banned from Canada (accused of promoting violence), and can’t enter Hungary.
Still, the London ruling is a major legal victory. The Crown Prosecution Service is reviewing the outcome and may appeal, while police will consider the case’s effects on future prosecutions.