The High Court is deciding whether Kneecap rapper Mo Chara will face charges for displaying the Hezbollah flag at a 2024 concert.
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British prosecutors are awaiting a High Court ruling after appealing against the dismissal of terrorism charges against Knee Rapper Mochalla.
The case centers on accusations that he displayed the Hezbollah flag at a London concert in November 2024.
Mr Justice Eddis and Mr Justice Lyndon heard arguments from both sides at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The judges said the legal opinion gave them “a lot of thought” before making their final ruling.
In September 2025, Chief Judge Paul Goldspring of Woolwich Crown Court dismissed the original terrorism charge against the 28-year-old Belfast rapper.
The dismissal came down to a technicality involving the time requirements for filing such charges.
The prosecutor filed charges against Mo Chawla on May 21, 2025, but it took until May 22 to obtain the appropriate consent from the Attorney General. Because the alleged incident occurred on Nov. 21, 2024, May 22 is one day later than the six-month legal deadline required to bring terrorism charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service argued that this timing issue should not invalidate the case. Paul Jarvis KC, representing the prosecutor, told the High Court it would be sufficient to obtain appropriate consent at the defendant’s first appearance.
Mochara made his first appearance in court on June 18, 2025, fully within the prescribed time limit. The Irish rapper’s defense lawyers insist the original ruling was correct.
The case stems from a video showing Mochalla holding an alleged Hezbollah flag on stage at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town while saying: “Hamas comes to power, Hezbollah comes to power.”
The rapper and his bandmates have always denied supporting either organization, claiming the flag was thrown on stage by someone in the audience. Knees sees the prosecution as part of a wider crackdown on Palestinian unity.
The Irish-language rap trio have been outspoken supporters of the Palestinian cause and have faced performance bans in Hungary and Canada for their political statements.
The lawsuit has already cost the band a huge amount of money. Kneecap was forced to cancel 15 US tour dates in October 2025 due to Mo Chara’s court obligations.
