The ongoing legal battles faced by artists around the world continue to spark debates on freedom of expression and the role of government in cultural affairs. In a recent case, the British music scene finds itself at a crossroads as the Crown Prosecution Service attempts to reinstate charges against rapper Liam O’Hanna, amid claims of state suppression veiled as terrorism laws. Highlighting the complexities of political discourse within music, this situation sheds light on the intersection of activism, art, and legal frameworks in contemporary society.
British prosecutors are seeking to revive a “terrorism” charge against Liam O’Hanna, a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap, for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert in London. This action follows a judge’s dismissal of the case last year. On January 14, 2026, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) filed a challenge in the High Court, contending that a magistrate had made an error in dismissing the case against O’Hanna, also known as Liam Og O hAnnaidh.
The charge stems from a performance on November 21, 2024, where O’Hanna is accused of breaching the UK’s 2000 Terrorism Act by displaying the flag. The CPS argues that the previous dismissal was flawed, as it claimed that the proceedings had not been initiated in the proper legal form.
Kneecap, known for their politically charged lyrics advocating for Palestinian rights, has criticized the prosecution as a diversion from the urgent humanitarian issues facing Palestine. The band labeled the CPS’s actions as a “British state witch-hunt” aimed at stifling dissent. In a statement released through social media, Kneecap emphasized the dire circumstances in Gaza, noting the plight of Palestinians as the true issue, rather than the legal troubles confronting O’Hanna.
O’Hanna was initially charged in May 2024 after footage from the concert surfaced, allegedly showing him with the Hezbollah flag, a claim he has firmly rejected. Kneecap asserted that the flag was thrown onto the stage by an audience member, maintaining that the group has “never” supported Hezbollah. The initial charge was dismissed after the court found that it had been filed without the required permissions and was slightly beyond the six-month statutory limit for such prosecutions.
CPS attorney Paul Jarvis argued before the High Court that the necessary permissions were relevant only at the first court appearance, thereby permitting the case to continue. O’Hanna was not present for the hearing, but his bandmate, DJ Provai, joined supporters who gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in solidarity, waving Irish and Palestinian flags.
Kneecap remains defiant in the face of these challenges, asserting their intent to “win again” as they prepare to contest the renewed prosecution. The band maintains that the earlier decision to dismiss the charges was “plainly correct,” emphasizing their commitment to both their artistic expression and the causes they champion.
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