Court Dismisses Terror Charge Against Kneecap’s Mo Chara

London, United Kingdom — A London court dismissed a terrorism charge against rapper Mo Chara, also known as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, on September 26, 2025. The singer is a member of the Irish-language hip-hop group Kneecap, which has faced scrutiny for its political statements.

The charge stemmed from an incident during a concert last year, where Ó hAnnaidh allegedly waved a flag supporting Hezbollah, a group that Britain classifies as a terrorist organization. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled that the prosecution was unlawful due to a technical error in how the charge was filed.

“These proceedings were instituted unlawfully and are null,” Goldspring stated in his ruling. He noted that crucial statutory time limits had not been observed in the case.

Kneecap, hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has received mixed reactions for its pro-Palestinian messages, including strong condemnations of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Ó hAnnaidh said that the prosecution was politically motivated and intended to stifle the band’s support for Palestinian rights.

Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s first minister, supported Ó hAnnaidh’s claims, stating the charges represented an effort to silence voices opposing alleged injustices perpetrated against Palestinians. “Kneecap has used their platform to expose this genocide,” she remarked.

Following the court’s decision, Kneecap’s manager Daniel Lambert celebrated on social media, asserting, “Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did,” and denouncing political policing against the group.

This case has highlighted a broader conversation regarding the intersection of art, politics, and the legal system, particularly in the context of current global conflicts.