The Mo Chara terrorism charge ended in dismissal after a major legal mistake in the U.K. system. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, better known as Mo Chara from the rap trio Kneecap, faced accusations of showing a Hezbollah flag during a London show in 2023. He denied the allegation, described it as political, and welcomed the court’s ruling as a clear victory.
At Woolwich Crown Court, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled that prosecutors failed to act within the six-month statutory limit. Therefore, the charge could not stand. The court confirmed that without timely approval, it lacked authority to continue the case. Earlier in August, legal arguments had already questioned the timing. Friday’s ruling settled the issue once and for all.
Police had built the case after reviewing footage from a November concert. During that show, Kneecap criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and displayed a message supporting Palestinian freedom. As a result, their comments fueled further controversy following statements they made earlier at Coachella.
After the case collapsed, Kneecap’s manager Daniel Lambert celebrated on social media. He stressed that the band had no charges or convictions anywhere and declared political policing a failure. In addition, Kneecap rejected claims of supporting extremist groups. They argued the footage was taken out of context and used to smear them for speaking out against Israel.
The controversy soon spread beyond the U.K. After Coachella, Sharon Osbourne urged U.S. officials to cancel Kneecap’s visas, calling their words hate speech. However, the group responded that condemning injustice is not hateful but necessary. Their reply only deepened the debate and kept them in headlines worldwide.
During Glastonbury, Kneecap used the stage to highlight the charge against Mo Chara. They also led chants against U.K. political leaders, reinforcing their defiance. According to bandmate Móglaí Bap, Irish people have long faced unfair treatment in the British legal system. In his view, this case showed history repeating itself.
With the Mo Chara terrorism charge dismissed, the group secured both a legal and symbolic win. Consequently, Kneecap continue to use their music as a form of activism. Instead of stepping back, they lean into controversy and turn performances into political statements. Their latest victory strengthens their image as artists who refuse to stay silent, no matter the risk.
