Kneecap issue statement following terrorism case appeal hearing

"Today was a waste of public time, and public money."

The 27-year-old was accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, during one of their gigs in the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on November 21 2024.

The case was, however, dismissed on technical grounds in September of last year, with the proceedings being ruled as “instituted unlawfully" by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring.

The following month, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced it would be appealing that decision, claiming that the case was an “important point of law which needs to be clarified.”

Liam Óg Ó hAannaidh opposed the appeal alongside Kneecap, saying at the time that they “will live again.”

After a lengthy day in court yesterday (Wednesday, January 14), having heard evidence from both sides, Lord Justice Edis and Mr Justice Linden said they would deliver their judgment at a later date.

Kneecap has since taken to social media to issue a statement, saying: “Once again today was a distraction from the complicity of the British government in genocide.”

“Today, more Palestinians were murdered by Israel. More homes demolished and more children dead due to cold and lack of aid, not permitted to enter by Israel.”

“That is the ONLY thing about this whole witch-hunt worth talking about.”

“Today was a waste of public time, and public money. We now believe over a million pounds has been wasted. Taxpayer money that could and should have been spent on improving the lives of ordinary people."

The statement alleges that politicians are using public money to stifle solidarity with people facing genocide, claiming they are acting under the sway of lobby groups.

The hip hop trio expressed gratitude to the legal team as well as supporters locally and internationally who stand by them and the cause they are fighting for.

They went on to highlight solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners in British jails, and ended with calls for Palestinian freedom, They went on to highlight solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners in British jails, and ended with calls for Palestinian freedom, the release of the Filton 24, and the liberation of the six counties.

Mo Chara was charged back in May of last year under the Terrorism Act, which states it is a criminal offence to display an article in a way “which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation”.