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The UK government has suffered a setback after losing its appeal concerning a terrorism-related charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, a member of the Irish language rap group Kneecap. The High Court in London ruled on Wednesday that Ó hAnnaidh would not be subjected to a new terror trial, dismissing an appeal brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Ó hAnnaidh, who is 28 years old, was initially charged in May 2025 following an incident in November 2024, when he was alleged to have displayed a Hezbollah flag during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim political and militant organization based in Lebanon, known for its involvement in various armed conflicts. The timing of the prosecution was a critical factor in the case. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring had previously noted that permission for the prosecution from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was only granted on 22 May 2025—one day after Ó hAnnaidh’s charge was filed.
The court’s judgement stated that legal proceedings were initiated on 21 May, when the first written charge was issued, but this was deemed invalid because the Attorney General’s consent had not been obtained at that time. As a result, the court found that the charge was not properly filed within the required six months of the alleged offence date, meaning the magistrate correctly concluded he lacked jurisdiction to try the summary offence.
Kneecap, formed in 2017, is composed of three members who perform under the stage names Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí. The group has attracted attention over the years for their controversial lyrics and merchandise. They faced criticism after showing messages relating to the Gaza conflict during their appearance at the Coachella music festival in April 2025. Earlier, in November 2024, Kneecap successfully challenged the UK government over a decision by then-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch to rescind an arts funding grant
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