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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Kneecap rapper Mo Chara's terror case thrown out | Kneecap rapper Mo Chara's terror case thrown out |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaving court on Friday | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh leaving court on Friday |
| The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. | The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been thrown out following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. |
| He was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024. | He was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2024. |
| The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denied the charge and has described it as political. | The 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, denied the charge and has described it as political. |
| Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Woolwich Crown Court that the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh was "unlawful" and "null". | Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Woolwich Crown Court that the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh was "unlawful" and "null". |
| Outlining the reasons for his decision, he said: "I find that these proceedings were not instituted in the correct form, lacking the necessary DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) and AG (Attorney General) consent within the six-month statutory time limit. | |
| "The time limit requires consent to have been granted at the time or before the issue of the requisition." | |
| He said the court had "no jurisdiction to try the charge". | |
| The court erupted into applause as the ruling was handed down. | |
| Jude Bunting KC told the court: "This case was every bit unjustified as it was flawed". | Jude Bunting KC told the court: "This case was every bit unjustified as it was flawed". |
| As Mr Ó hAnnaidh left the court, his parents hugged him and said they were "delighted" it was over. | As Mr Ó hAnnaidh left the court, his parents hugged him and said they were "delighted" it was over. |
| 'Always about Gaza' | 'Always about Gaza' |
| Outside the court, Mr Ó hAnnaidh said: "This entire process was never about me. | |
| "It was never about any threat to the public, it was never about terrorism – a word used by your government to discredit people you oppress. | |
| "It was always about Gaza, about what happens if you dare to speak up. | |
| "Your attempts to silence us have failed because we're right and you're wrong." | "Your attempts to silence us have failed because we're right and you're wrong." |
| Kneecap arriving at Woolwich Crown Court earlier | Kneecap arriving at Woolwich Crown Court earlier |
| 'We have won' | 'We have won' |
| In a post on social media, Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert said: "We have won. | |
| "Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. | "Liam Óg is a free man. We said we would fight them and win. We did (Twice). Kneecap has NO charges OR convictions in ANY country, EVER. |
| "Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not." | "Political policing has failed. Kneecap is on the right side of history. Britain is not." |
| First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the ruling. | First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the ruling. |
| "These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza," she posted on X. | "These charges were part of a calculated attempt to silence those who stand up and speak out against the Israeli genocide in Gaza," she posted on X. |
| "Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the world to expose this genocide, and it is the responsibility of all of us to continue speaking out and standing against injustice in Palestine." | "Kneecap have used their platform on stages across the world to expose this genocide, and it is the responsibility of all of us to continue speaking out and standing against injustice in Palestine." |
| The case was due to be heard at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday but was moved to Woolwich, due to a burst water main. | The case was due to be heard at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday but was moved to Woolwich, due to a burst water main. |
| During a court appearance on 20 August legal arguments around whether the charge was brought within the six-month time limit were heard. | During a court appearance on 20 August legal arguments around whether the charge was brought within the six-month time limit were heard. |
| Hezbollah is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. | |
| The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it was "reviewing the decision of the court carefully". | |
| It pointed out that the decision could be appealed against. | |
| A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the decision by the court in relation to this case. | |
| "We will work with the CPS to understand the potential implications of this ruling for us and how that might impact on the processing of such cases in the future." | |
| Who are Kneecap? | Who are Kneecap? |
| Mr Ó hAnnaidh (centre) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance in June | Mr Ó hAnnaidh (centre) spoke to the crowd after his court appearance in June |
| Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. | Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. |
| The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. | The group was formed in 2017 by three musicians who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. |
| Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. | Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. |
| The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025. | The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025. |
| In April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella. | In April, the group faced criticism after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella. |
| In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant. | In November 2024, the group won its case against the UK government over a decision Kemi Badenoch took when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant. |