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A member of Irish hip hop trio Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police.
Liam O’Hanna, a 27-year-old from Belfast, is facing charges for allegedly displaying a flag “in support of Hezbollah, a banned organization,” according to London’s Metropolitan Police.
This accusation is connected to an incident on November 21, 2024, when O’Hanna, who is also known by his stage name Mo Chara, reportedly displayed a flag at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. The police statement suggests that the flag was shown “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he supports Hezbollah, a banned organization.”
Kneecap have been vocal critics of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Earlier this month, UK counter-terrorism authorities announced that they were probing the group after videos surfaced allegedly depicting the band inciting violence against British politicians and voicing support for Hamas and Hezbollah.
Kneecap has previously said it has never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and that the footage circulating online has been “deliberately taken out of all context” as part of a “smear campaign” following their criticism of Israel and the US in regards to the war in Gaza.
Separately, video from November 2023 appeared to show one member of the group, who are from Northern Ireland, saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
In the past decade, two British MPs – Jo Cox and David Amess – have been murdered.
Kneecap later apologised to the families of Cox and Amess.
Both videos have been widely circulated online in wake of the band’s Coachella set, where they led the crowd to chant “Free Free Palestine,” criticised Israel’s campaign in Gaza, and also criticised US support for the war.