A member of the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offense after displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a concert. The group contests the charge, framing it as a political move amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Kneecap Member Faces Terrorism Charge Over Controversial Flag Display at Concert
Kneecap Member Faces Terrorism Charge Over Controversial Flag Display at Concert
Liam Og O Hannaidh, known as Mo Chara, contests a charge of displaying support for Hezbollah during a London concert, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the incident.
The legal landscape in London has become the backdrop for a contentious incident involving a member of the Northern Irish hip-hop group Kneecap. Liam Og O Hannaidh, also referred to by his stage name Mo Chara, is facing a terrorism charge, accused of unlawfully showcasing a flag that allegedly supports Hezbollah, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the British government, during a performance in November at the O2 Forum.
This accusation was formally laid out by London's Metropolitan Police, who stated that Counterterrorism officers launched an investigation after an online video surfaced showing O Hannaidh during the concert. The video captures the moment he unfurled the controversial yellow flag on stage, amidst chants like "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah." Under the law, public support for such organizations can lead to serious consequences, and if O Hannaidh is convicted, he risks facing up to six months in prison, along with potential fines.
Kneecap has publicly rebuffed the charges, asserting their right to political expression and dismissing the legal claims as a form of political policing. In a statement shared on their Instagram account, the band emphasized that their situation is secondary to the humanitarian crisis impacting Gaza, characterized by severe shortages of vital supplies due to Israeli restrictions. "We are not the story. Genocide is," their message firmly states.
The charges followed an investigation initiated after the police received reports about the online footage in April. A court summons was issued, and O Hannaidh is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18. The police have indicated that further investigation is underway regarding another videotaped performance from Kneecap in November 2023.
Kneecap, which emerged from Belfast, has built a passionate following since releasing their debut single in 2017, blending Irish lyrics with hip-hop and electronic music. The trio is recognized for their strong Irish nationalist messaging, employing a provocative style that often stirs public debate. Recently, they acted in a dramatization entitled "Kneecap," which has received accolades, including a British Academy Film Award. Despite the unfolding legal situation, the group remains scheduled to perform as headliners at the upcoming Wide Awake festival in London.
