A London court ruled on Friday that the prosecution of a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag was invalid due to being charged after the legal time limit. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, was accused of waving the flag during a Kneecap performance in London in November 2024. The 27-year-old faced charges under the Terrorism Act for displaying an article that suggests support for a banned organization, Hezbollah.
Judge Paul Goldspring at Westminster Magistrates’ Court declared the charge unlawful as it exceeded the six-month limit for such cases to be prosecuted at the magistrates’ court. This decision was met with approval from onlookers in the courtroom.
Vince Gasparro, Canada’s parliamentary secretary, referenced this case in a video announcement last week, disclosing that Kneecap had been prohibited from entering Canada for their alleged support of terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Gasparro stated that the group’s actions and statements contradicted Canadian values and laws, causing concern for the government.
Kneecap responded by mentioning they had not received official confirmation of the ban from the Canadian government, despite ticket providers already canceling their Toronto and Vancouver shows and offering refunds to ticket holders.
During the court ruling, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, along with his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap) and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), celebrated the outcome. Ó hAnnaidh emphasized that the issue was not about terrorism but about advocating for Gaza and standing up against injustices.
Kneecap, known for their controversial pro-Palestinian messages, faced backlash for their performances, including at the Coachella festival, where they highlighted the situation in Gaza following a terrorist incident in Israel. The group’s U.S. tour dates were recently canceled, and they have previously sparked controversy in the UK for provocative statements made during a concert.
Despite past controversies, Kneecap expressed remorse for offending individuals and families affected by political violence, aiming to clarify their intentions and messages.
