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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
A rapper with the provocative Irish group Kneecap appeared in court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), charged with a terror offence for allegedly supporting Hezbollah, as hundreds of cheering fans gathered outside. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf around his neck, and black sunglasses. Shouts of "Free Palestine" and "Kneecap" rang out from the crowd outside, as well as from people inside the court building. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the U.K., and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which recently grabbed headlines for statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The court released O'Hanna on unconditional bail on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) and set the next hearing for August 20. He spoke only to confirm his name and address. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said the case was "not about Mr. O'Hanna's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel". "He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity," Mr. Bisgrove said. Instead, the prosecutor said, the case was about Mr. O'Hanna wearing and displaying "the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while allegedly saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'". The raucous punk-rap group has said the video that led to the charge was taken out of context. Mr. O'Hanna told London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to "silence us" after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and U.K. government ministers had suggested the organisers of the upcoming Glastonbury festival should reconsider the band's appearance. The singer's defence team argued that the charge fell outside a six-month time limit, as the concert was performed on November 21, and he was charged on May 21. Unfazed Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group's members rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the U.K.'s previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. One of the supporters outside the court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), Sadia Kokni, denounced the charge as "ridiculous". "Kneecap actually represent every one of us. They speak for us, you know, because everything they feel, every injustice that they feel, we feel," the 44-year-old told AFP. "We came to defend the right to protest and freedom of speech," said banker, Caitlin McClure, 24. "I'm a fan of Kneecap, their music means something to me. I'm Scottish and we are not independent either." The group apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the award-winning semi-autobiographical film about Kneecap, told AFP this week that the group was "unfazed" by the legal charge and controversies. "Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it," Mr. Peppiatt said. "They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it," he added. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and denounced a "concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap".
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
LONDON: A member of the provocative Irish rap group Kneecap, charged with a terror offence for allegedly showing support for Hezbollah, was due to appear in a London court Wednesday. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction,' the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to 'silence us' after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. 'Unfazed' O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He 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', police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was 'unfazed' by the legal charge and controversies. 'Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it,' Peppiatt said. 'They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it,' he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.' 'We are not the story. Genocide is,' it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a 'concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap'. Campaign group 'Love Music Hate Racism' called for supporters to 'defend Mo Chara on 18 June outside Westminster Magistrates Court'.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
Member of Kneecap Liam O'Hanna was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON - A member of the provocative Irish rap group Kneecap, charged with a terror offence for allegedly showing support for Hezbollah, was due to appear in a London court June 18. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction,' the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. Mr O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to 'silence us' after several of their performances were cancelled. Festivalgoers fly a Palestine flag as Liam O'Hanna performs with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O'Dochartaigh, onstage during Wide Awake Festival 2025 at Brockwell Park in south London on May 23. PHOTO: AFP A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. 'Unfazed' Mr O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He 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', police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was 'unfazed' by the legal charge and controversies. Liam O'Hanna (second from left) performs with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain (left) and JJ O'Dochartaigh, beneath a 'Free Palestine' sign onstage during Wide Awake Festival 2025 at Brockwell Park in south London on May 23. PHOTO: AFP 'Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it,' Mr Peppiatt said. 'They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it,' he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.' 'We are not the story. Genocide is,' it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a 'concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap'. Campaign group Love Music Hate Racism called for supporters to 'defend Mo Chara on June 18 outside Westminster Magistrates Court'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to "silence us" after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. 'Unfazed' O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He 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", police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was "unfazed" by the legal charge and controversies. "Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it," Peppiatt said. "They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it," he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: "14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us." "We are not the story. Genocide is," it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a "concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap". Campaign group "Love Music Hate Racism" called for supporters to "defend Mo Chara on 18 June outside Westminster Magistrates Court".
Int'l Business Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Kneecap Rapper In Court On Terror Charge Over Hezbollah Flag
A member of the provocative Irish rap group Kneecap, charged with a terror offence for allegedly showing support for Hezbollah, was due to appear in a London court Wednesday. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to "silence us" after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He 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", police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was "unfazed" by the legal charge and controversies. "Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it," Peppiatt said. "They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it," he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: "14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us." "We are not the story. Genocide is," it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a "concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap". Campaign group "Love Music Hate Racism" called for supporters to "defend Mo Chara on 18 June outside Westminster Magistrates Court". The group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them AFP
