UK prosecutors lose appeal over terror charge against Kneecap's Mo Chara

"The judge was right to hold that he had no jurisdiction to try any summary-only offence alleged to have been committed on that date. The respondent has not been tried for his alleged conduct and will not be tried. He has not been convicted, and he has not been acquitted."

"Prosecutors needed to seek the permission of the Attorney General to charge the rapper before informing him on May 21 that he would be charged with a terror offence. This permission was sought and given the following day, which the court heard meant the charge fell outside the six-month timeframe in which criminal charges against a defendant can be brought."

Rapper Mo Chara faced charges for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London venue in November 2024. The initial case was dismissed in September when the court ruled proceedings were instituted unlawfully. The issue centered on prosecutorial procedure: the Attorney General's permission was required before charging but was only sought after the defendant was informed of charges, placing the case outside the six-month timeframe for bringing criminal charges. The Crown Prosecution Service appealed at the High Court in January, but two judges upheld the original dismissal, confirming the defendant would not face trial. This represents a complete loss for UK prosecutors in their appeal effort.

Read at Irish Independent