Mo Chara was accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK, whilst chanting, ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’ during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November of 2024. However, Mo Chara’s defence had claimed that the rapper had not been charged within the statutory time limit. As a result, the case was thrown out.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service persisted, appealing the case. Nevertheless, two judges at the High Court upheld the decision and dismissed the CPS appeal.
"the case was described in court as ‘unlawful’ and ‘null’ and was subsequently thrown out"
The rapper was initially charged on the 21st of May 2025, but without the permission of the Attorney General nor the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Metropolitan police then re-sent the charge to Mo Chara the next day – falling just one day outside of the six-month period in which defendants can be charged. Because of this error, the case was described in court as ‘unlawful’ and ‘null’ and was subsequently thrown out. Despite attempts to appeal from the CPS, judges agreed with Mo Chara’s position, highlighting the importance of the intricacies of the law.
In a press conference, Mo Chara has joked how the ongoing legal battle has resulted in ‘three-nil’ to Kneecap. The rapper’s defence team added that the CPS appeal is ‘legally laughable’ and a ‘witch hunt.’