Per the BBC, a London court ruled on Friday that legal proceedings had been initiated before consent was obtained from relevant officials within a six-month deadline for such charges, with Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring stating that Woolwich Crown Court has no jurisdiction to try the "null" and "unlawful" case against the member of the Irish band.
The 27-year-old Belfast musician, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged in May under the name Liam O'Hanna for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, at a gig in London's Kentish Town in November 2024. He denied the offence, labelling it political policing and a carnival of distraction from the war in Gaza, which Kneecap have been vocal about opposing.
Mangione's lawyers argued that the New York case and a parallel federal death penalty prosecution amounted to double jeopardy. But Judge Gregory Carro rejected that argument, saying it would be premature to make such a determination. It is Mangione's first court appearance in the state case since February. Mangione has attracted a cult following as a representative of frustrations with the health insurance industry.
Liam O'Hanna, 27, has been charged with a terror' offence for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag. A member of the Irish rap group Kneecap is due to appear in court, charged with a terror offence for allegedly supporting Hezbollah. Liam O'Hanna, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, will appear at the Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London on Wednesday after he was charged in May for displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November.
