At 10.30 Swedish time, the artist arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court in London together with his band members in Kneecap. The police presence was large and demonstrators with Irish and Palestinian flags as well as "Befria Mo Chara" signs were present, reports Belfast Telegraph.
The artist Mo Chara, from West Belfast, constitutes a third of the Irish-speaking rap group. He was prosecuted in May for having shown a Hizbollah flag during a concert at O2 Forum in Kentish Town in London in November last year. Mo Chara has denied the charge of terrorist crime.
The defense argued that the prosecution was brought too late and should therefore be declared invalid. They mean that the defendant was prosecuted on May 22 this year – a day after the six-month limit for such prosecutions. The prosecutors claim that the prosecution was brought on May 21, just within the time limit.
Judge Paul Goldspring said that he is "aware and concerned" that a "quick solution" is requested.
– I will reserve my decision for a couple of weeks, he says.
The next hearing will be held on Friday, September 26 at 11 Swedish time.
