LONDON — A member of Belfast-based hip-hop group Kneecap has been formally charged with a terror-related offence after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance in the capital.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known on stage as Mo Chara, faces charges under terrorism legislation for an incident that took place at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on 21 November 2023.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 27-year-old is accused of “displaying a flag in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hizballah.”
The charge comes after officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were alerted to a video clip of the performance on 22 April this year. A subsequent investigation led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to authorise charges.
In an official statement, police said: “Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, April 22 of an online video from the event. An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge.”
Ó hAnnaidh is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 June.
Kneecap have found themselves at the centre of controversy more than once in recent months. A resurfaced video from a 2023 gig drew sharp criticism after a member of the group said: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
In response, the trio issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.
They clarified: “We reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual.”
The group has also come under fire for political statements made during their sets at Coachella music festival in April.
Messages displayed during their show included:
- “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”
- “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.”
- “F** Israel. Free Palestine.”*
Reacting to the backlash, Kneecap defended their position, claiming they are being deliberately targeted.
In a defiant statement, they said: “Let us be absolutely clear. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing. Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.”
The case is likely to provoke further public debate, not only about the boundaries of artistic expression and political protest, but also about the laws surrounding proscribed organisations. More updates are expected following Ó hAnnaidh’s court appearance next month.
