UK court dismisses terror charge against Kneecap member

In London, on September 25, 2025, the court dismissed a terror-related charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, a member of the Irish-language hip-hop group Kneecap. The charge arose from an incident where Ó hAnnaidh allegedly waved a flag of Hezbollah, a group considered a terrorist organization in the UK, during a concert last year. The chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, indicated that the proceedings against Ó hAnnaidh were instituted unlawfully, leading to the dismissal of the case. This decision has significant implications for Kneecap, a band known for its controversial political statements that seem to support militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Kneecap has faced backlash in various countries, including Hungary and Canada, which have banned the group due to concerns about their messages and affiliations. The band contends that they do not support violence or these groups and asserts their commitment to speaking out on behalf of Palestinian rights. Following the court ruling, Ó hAnnaidh emphasized that the prosecution was a politically motivated attempt to silence the band’s voice on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, supported this viewpoint, framing the charges as part of a larger effort to silence those opposing Israeli actions in Palestine. The Crown Prosecution Service has stated that it is reviewing the court's decision, hinting at the possibility of an appeal, which raises questions about the future handling of cases involving politically charged expressions in the UK.