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4h ago

Kneecap Rapper Charged with Terror Offence Over Hezbollah Flag Display

Liam O’Hanna of the Irish rap trio faces charges under the UK Terrorism Act, with the band denouncing the move as political policing.

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Mo Chara from Irish Hip Hop trio Kneecap performs onstage during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 11, 2025 in Indio, California. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)

Overview

  • Liam O’Hanna, known as Mo Chara, has been charged for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a November 2024 concert in London, violating the UK’s Terrorism Act.
  • The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation in April after video footage of the incident surfaced online, leading to charges authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service.
  • Kneecap has denied supporting Hezbollah or Hamas, calling the charges a 'carnival of distraction' and claiming the footage has been manipulated as part of a smear campaign.
  • The band continues to face backlash, with several gigs canceled and political figures, including Kemi Badenoch, calling for their removal from festival lineups, though they remain scheduled to headline the Wide Awake Festival.
  • Nearly 40 artists, including Massive Attack and Paul Weller, have publicly supported Kneecap, framing the charges as an attack on artistic freedom and political expression.