{"id":14756,"date":"2026-03-12T01:01:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T01:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/?p=14756"},"modified":"2026-03-12T01:01:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T01:01:03","slug":"uk-court-rejects-bid-to-reinstate-terrorism-charge-against-kneecap-rapper-courts-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/?p=14756","title":{"rendered":"UK court rejects bid to reinstate \u2018terrorism\u2019 charge against Kneecap rapper | Courts News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p class=\"article__subhead\"><em>Irish rapper Liam O\u2019Hanna welcomes ruling in case he says was \u2018never about any threat to the public, never about terrorism\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><button class=\"article-listen-container\" aria-labelledby=\"listen-text listen-duration\" data-testid=\"listen-to-article-button\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-listen-container__text\" data-testid=\"listen-to-article-text\">Listen to this article<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0|\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"article-listen-container__duration\">2 mins<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/button><button tabindex=\"0\" class=\"tooltip-accessible_trigger\"><svg class=\"icon icon--info icon--main-grey-dark icon--16 listen-to-article-tooltip__icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\"><title>info<\/title><path class=\"icon-main-color\" d=\"M12 0a12 12 0 1 0 0 24 12 12 0 0 0 0-24Zm-.226 3.225a2.039 2.039 0 0 1 2.155 1.924v.193a1.998 1.998 0 0 1-2.155 2.149 2.029 2.029 0 0 1-2.146-2.15 2.039 2.039 0 0 1 1.955-2.122h.193l-.002.006Zm3.227 15.525a.75.75 0 0 1-.752.75H9.75a.75.75 0 0 1-.75-.75v-1.5a.75.75 0 0 1 .752-.75h.748V12h-.75a.75.75 0 0 1-.75-.75v-1.5a.75.75 0 0 1 .752-.751h3a.75.75 0 0 1 .75.752v6.75h.75a.75.75 0 0 1 .75.749L15 18.75Z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"byline byline--single-avatar\">\n<div class=\"avatars-container\">\n<div class=\"responsive-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2017-06-08T131939Z_1189275883_RC11B0FE7F20_RTRMADP_3_GULF-QATAR-JAZEERA-1714943623.jpg?resize=96%2C96&amp;quality=80 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 96px) 96px, 96px\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-dates\">\n<p><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Published On 11 Mar 2026<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\">11 Mar 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rich-share\" data-testid=\"rich-share\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"rich-share__button-wrapper\"><button class=\"rich-share__button row\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><\/p>\n<p>Click here to share on social media<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"icon icon--share2 icon--primary icon--16 \" viewbox=\"0 0 20 16\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><title>share2<\/title><path fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M11.688 9.048c-.659 0-1.252.282-1.673.733l-4.92-2.45c.016-.115.028-.232.028-.352 0-.117-.011-.23-.027-.343l4.913-2.423a2.285 2.285 0 0 0 1.68.739C12.964 4.952 14 3.899 14 2.6 14 1.302 12.965.25 11.688.25S9.377 1.302 9.377 2.601c0 .117.01.23.027.343L4.49 5.367a2.285 2.285 0 0 0-1.68-.739C1.536 4.628.5 5.681.5 6.979c0 1.299 1.035 2.35 2.312 2.35.659 0 1.252-.281 1.673-.731l4.92 2.45a2.357 2.357 0 0 0-.029.351c0 1.299 1.035 2.351 2.312 2.351S14 12.698 14 11.399s-1.035-2.35-2.312-2.35Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"rich-share__social-text\">Share<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"google-preferred-source\"><button class=\"google-preferred-source__button\" aria-label=\"Add Al Jazeera on Google\" data-testid=\"google-preferred-source-button\"><svg class=\"icon icon--plus2 icon--primary icon--12 google-preferred-source__add-icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><title>plus2<\/title><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M10.571 13.429H3.43c-.405 0-.744-.137-1.018-.411A1.382 1.382 0 0 1 2 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16Z\"\/><path fill=\"#FBBC05\" d=\"M4.024 9.519c-.16-.48-.251-.993-.251-1.52s.09-1.04.25-1.52V4.406H1.352A7.997 7.997 0 0 0 .5 8c0 1.29.31 2.513.85 3.593l2.674-2.073Z\"\/><path fill=\"#EA4335\" d=\"M8.5 3.182c1.175 0 2.23.403 3.058 1.196l2.295-2.294C12.467.793 10.656 0 8.5 0a7.997 7.997 0 0 0-7.149 4.407L4.024 6.48C4.653 4.59 6.417 3.182 8.5 3.182Z\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"a\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M.5 0h16v16H.5z\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><span class=\"google-preferred-source__text\">Add Al Jazeera on Google<\/span><\/button><button tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"See more of Al Jazeera\u2019s trusted journalism by adding us as a preferred source on Google.\" class=\"tooltip-accessible_trigger\"><svg class=\"icon icon--info icon--primary icon--16 google-preferred-source__info-icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><title>info<\/title><path class=\"icon-main-color\" d=\"M12 0a12 12 0 1 0 0 24 12 12 0 0 0 0-24Zm-.226 3.225a2.039 2.039 0 0 1 2.155 1.924v.193a1.998 1.998 0 0 1-2.155 2.149 2.029 2.029 0 0 1-2.146-2.15 2.039 2.039 0 0 1 1.955-2.122h.193l-.002.006Zm3.227 15.525a.75.75 0 0 1-.752.75H9.75a.75.75 0 0 1-.75-.75v-1.5a.75.75 0 0 1 .752-.75h.748V12h-.75a.75.75 0 0 1-.75-.75v-1.5a.75.75 0 0 1 .752-.751h3a.75.75 0 0 1 .75.752v6.75h.75a.75.75 0 0 1 .75.749L15 18.75Z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">\n<p>British prosecutors have lost an appeal seeking to reinstate a \u201cterrorism\u201d charge against a member of Irish rap group Kneecap accused of waving a Hezbollah flag during a gig in London.<\/p>\n<p>London\u2019s High Court on Wednesday rejected prosecutors\u2019 attempts to challenge a lower court\u2019s decision to throw out the case against Liam O\u2019Hanna in September due to a technical error.<\/p>\n<section class=\"more-on\">\n<h2 class=\"more-on__heading\">Recommended Stories<!-- --> <\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">list of 3 items<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>The decision means the case will not proceed. In a statement, the Crown Prosecution Service said the High Court had \u201cclarified how the law applies\u201d to such cases and that it accepted \u201cthe judgement and will update our processes accordingly\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>O\u2019Hanna \u2013 also known as Liam Og O hAnnaid (his name in Gaeilge, the Irish language) and by the stage name Mo Chara (\u201cMy Friend\u201d) \u2013 was charged in May of last year with displaying a Hezbollah flag during a November 2024 concert in London, in violation of the United Kingdom\u2019s 2000 Terrorism Act.<\/p>\n<p>Kneecap\u2019s members \u2013\u00a0 who rap in Gaeilge and English and have been outspoken in their condemnation of Israel\u2019s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip \u2013 have called the attempted prosecution a \u201cBritish state witch-hunt\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4389722\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4389722\" style=\"width:770px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-arc-image-770 wp-image-4389722\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/getty_69b1936f14-1773245295.jpg?w=770&amp;resize=770%2C513&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 11: Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, of the band Kneecap speaks during a press conference following a High Court ruling which upheld the decision to drop the terrorism case against him on March 11, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap called on supporters to attend the press conference in Belfast on Wednesday as the High Court in London ruled on the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) appeal on an earlier decision to throw out terror charges against rapper Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh. \u00d3 hAnnaidh, who performs with Kneecap under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town in November 2024. The charge was dropped on a technicality in September 2025, which the CPS has appealed. (Photo by Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images)\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4389722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Liam O\u2019Hanna (Liam Og O hAnnaid) welcomed the ruling during a news conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland [Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>O\u2019Hanna welcomed the ruling on Wednesday, saying during a news conference in Belfast that the case was \u201cnever about me, never about any threat to the public and never about terrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was always about Palestine, about what happens if you dare to speak up, about what happens if you can reach large groups of people and expose their hypocrisy, about the lengths Britain will go to cover up Israeli and US war crimes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Cheered by supporters at the event, O\u2019Hanna was joined by Kneecap bandmates JJ O Dochartaigh and Naoise O Caireallain \u2013 better known by their respective stage names, DJ Provai and Moglai Bap.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour own High Court ruled against you,\u201d O\u2019Hanna added, addressing the UK government.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe pathetic thing about this whole process is that you falsely tried to label me a terrorist when it is the British government ministers that are arming and assisting a genocide in Gaza, the destruction of Lebanon, and the senseless slaughter of schoolkids in Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Irish rapper Liam O\u2019Hanna welcomes ruling in case he says was \u2018never about any threat to the public, never about terrorism\u2019. Listen to this article\u00a0|\u00a02 mins info Published On 11 Mar 202611 Mar 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share plus2googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo British prosecutors have lost an appeal seeking [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14756"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14756\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inernews.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}