LARGE crowds have gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday for an appeal case against a decision to throw out terrorism charges against Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh.
The rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London in November 2024.
In September, the case was thrown out on technical grounds with chief magistrate Paul Goldspring ruling that the proceedings were “instituted unlawfully”.
However, an appeal was launched by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday. A verdict is due later.
A large crowd gathered outside the court, while a small stage was set up, with a sign stating 'Kneecap junction'.
Addressing the crowd, West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said: “We are in front of a court today because the British Government refused to accept the decision from a previous judge to throw this case out.
“This is about censorship. That’s exactly what this is about.”
North Belfast MP John Finucane added: “We will continue to stand with Liam.
“We will continue to stand on the right side of history.
“We stand with Palestine. End the genocide. Free Palestine.”
