A London court has dismissed the prosecution of a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap for a terrorism offense, ruling that he was charged too late for allegedly displaying a flag of Hezbollah, a banned militant group. The individual, known as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh or Mo Chara on stage, was accused of waving the Hezbollah flag during a Kneecap performance in London in November 2024.
The 27-year-old was charged under the Terrorism Act in May, which criminalizes displaying articles that suggest support for proscribed organizations. However, the court found that the charge was brought after the six-month limit for such charges, making it unlawful and outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The Canadian parliamentary secretary, Vince Gasparro, referenced this case when announcing the ban on Kneecap from entering Canada. Gasparro stated that the group’s support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as their promotion of political violence, raised concerns incompatible with Canadian values and laws.
Despite not receiving official communication from the Canadian government about the ban, Kneecap’s upcoming shows in Toronto and Vancouver have been canceled, with ticket holders promised full refunds. The group’s controversial stance on Palestinian issues, as seen at events like Coachella, has stirred debate, leading to the cancellation of their U.S. tour dates.
Kneecap has faced criticism in the UK as well, following a video showing a band member making contentious statements at a concert. The group has apologized for remarks deemed offensive, showing remorse for their past controversial actions.