Liam O’Hanna said last month, the accusation aimed at silence against the Gaza War after the incident was abolished.
Released on October 7, 2025
British prosecutors are suing a court’s decision to abandon the “terrorist” accusations against Liam O’Hanna, also known as Og O Hannaidh, a member of Irish rap group Kneecap.
Ohanna was accused of displaying the flag of Iran-backed armed Lebanese group Hezbollah at a London concert in November, but was rejected in late September by a London court due to technical errors.
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“We are urging a decision to dismiss this case because we believe there are important laws that need to be clarified,” a spokesman for the Crown Prosecutor’s Office (CPS) said Tuesday.
The rapper, also known as Mo Chara (Gaeilge’s “My Friend”), was charged in May under British terrorist law.
On September 26, Prime Minister Paul Goldspring told Woolridge Crown Court that the incident was “illegal” and “null” since it was brought outside the six-month statutory restrictions.
There were no immediate comments from KneeCap regarding the CPS’ appeal announcement. After the charges were abolished last month, Ohana said the incident had something to do with Gaza, “what would happen if you dare to speak up?” and “a threat to the public.”
“As Irish people, we know oppression, colonialism, hunger, genocide. We suffer and still suffer under ‘your empire’,” he said. “An attempt to silence us because we are right and you are wrong, has failed. We will not be silent.”
Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, said at the time the charges were “part of a calculated attempt to confront and silence those who speak out against the Israeli massacre in Gaza.”
Members of Knecap are accused of promoting “terrorism” due to statements made in support of the Palestinians during the Israeli war with Gaza.
Hungary and Canada have banned group entry, and some of the group’s concerts in Germany and Austria have been cancelled this year.
The group consistently maintains that it does not tolerate Hezbollah, Hamas or violence.
