Kneecap’s Mo Chara Overcomes U.K. Terror Charges on Technical Basis

## London Court Dismisses Terror Charges Against Kneecap Artist

A court in London has dismissed the terror charges against Mo Chara, a member of the Belfast rap group Kneecap. The presiding judge determined that the allegations were not filed correctly.

## Incident Background

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, the rapper in question, faced accusations for displaying a Hezbollah flag during a Kneecap concert in London in November 2024. However, the Metropolitan Police were only informed of this alleged act in April 2025, following a controversial performance by Kneecap at Coachella, where they made headlines for their statements regarding Israel and the Gaza conflict.

## Legal Proceedings

In May, Ó hAnnaidh was officially charged. His legal team later argued to dismiss the case based on procedural grounds, asserting that the charge was lodged just a day after the six-month statutory limit had lapsed. While prosecutors contended that the timeline was compliant, Judge Paul Goldspring ruled in favor of the defense.

### Judge’s Ruling

Judge Goldspring clarified that his ruling did not address the issues of guilt or innocence but focused on whether the court had the authority to hear the case. He stated, “The charge is unlawful and null.”

### Technicalities of the Case

The core of the debate revolved around the technical aspects of how and when charges are filed under the U.K.’s Terrorism Act. Ó hAnnaidh learned about his charge on May 21, yet his lawyers argued that this was not considered official because the necessary permissions had not been obtained prior to filing. They contended that the charge was officially recognized only on May 22, thereby missing the deadline.

Despite the Crown Prosecution Service’s claims of a valid charge, Judge Goldspring concluded that the procedures were incorrectly followed, lacking the necessary consents within the required timeframe.

## Reaction to the Verdict

The courtroom erupted in applause upon the announcement of the ruling, as reported by the BBC. Ó hAnnaidh’s lawyer, Jude Bunting KC, characterized the case as both unjustified and deeply flawed.

In a statement to reporters outside the courthouse, Ó hAnnaidh emphasized the broader implications of the case, asserting that it was not merely about him or terror threats. He remarked, “Your attempts to silence us have failed because we’re right and you’re wrong.”

## Next Steps

The Crown Prosecution Service indicated it is carefully reviewing the court’s decision and considering the possibility of an appeal. Moreover, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police acknowledged awareness of the ruling and expressed intentions to collaborate with the CPS to understand its implications for future cases.

What are your thoughts on the intersection of freedom of expression and legal proceedings?