Kneecap member charged with terror offence

PA Media Close shot of a dark haired young man with short brown hair, a black hooded jacket and dark sunglasses on top his head — Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs underneath the identify Mo Chara, is because of seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket subsequent month

A member of Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in help of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 on the O2 Discussion board in Kentish City, London.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs underneath the identify Mo Chara, is because of seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on Wednesday 18 June.

Officers from the Met’s counter terrorism command have been made conscious on 22 April of a web-based video from the occasion.

Belfast man Mr Ó hAnnaidh has been charged underneath the identify Liam O’Hanna.

An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising cost.

Earlier this month, the Met mentioned it will examine on-line movies allegedly displaying the group calling for the demise of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

Each Hamas and Hezbollah are banned within the UK and it’s a crime to precise help for them.

Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim political and navy group in Lebanon which has been concerned in a collection of violent conflicts.

Kneecap say they’ve by no means supported Hamas or Hezbollah and wouldn’t incite violence towards any particular person. They are saying the video in query has been taken out of context.

A lot of gigs that includes the band have been known as off for the reason that movies emerged.

They’re presently scheduled to headline Vast Awake competition in Brockwell Park, south London, on Friday.

The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí and Móglaí Bap

Reuters Three men are standing smiling for a photo. Left, is wearing a black coat and holding a glass. He is smiling at the camera and has short brown hair. The one in the middle is wearing a grey tartan suit and a red tie. He is also wearing a balaclava which is green white and orange striped. On the right, a man has his arms around the one in the middle. He is wearing a dark coloured jacket and has short black hair. — The group go by the stage names of Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí and Móglaí Bap

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who’ve courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was shaped in 2017 by three associates who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame impressed a semi-fictionalised movie starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The movie gained a British Academy of Movie Award (Bafta) in February 2025.

In April, the group confronted criticism and industrial penalties after displaying messages concerning the battle in Gaza throughout their set at US music competition Coachella final month.

They have been dropped by their sponsor and reserving agent Unbiased Artist Group (IAG) and former X Issue choose Sharon Osbourne known as for Kneecap’s US work visas to be revoked.

Following this, footage emerged from earlier gigs, which have been investigation by counter-terrorism officers.

Conservative Social gathering chief Kemi Badenoch shared one of many movies and renewed her criticism of the Labour authorities for final 12 months settling a authorized case introduced by the group.

It associated to a call Badenoch made when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant.