Mo Chara of Kneecap Charged With Terror Offence Over Hezbollah Flag Display

Kneecap rapper, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a live show, according to London’s Metropolitan Police.

The incident took place on November 21, 2024, during a Kneecap concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. Authorities say O’hAnnaidh, 27, displayed the flag “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezbollah.”

Court Appearance Set for June

Police said the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command reviewed an online video of the event in April and launched an investigation. After completing their inquiry, the Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charge. O’hAnnaidh, who is from Belfast, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.

Kneecap Under Scrutiny

Kneecap has been under increasing public and legal scrutiny in recent months. In early May, counter-terrorism police launched an investigation into the group after footage surfaced online. The videos allegedly showed band members chanting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and calling for the deaths of British MPs during past performances.

Although both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned under UK terrorism laws, the group denies supporting either organization. They argue the videos were taken out of context and are part of a broader effort to silence their criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and U.S. foreign policy.

“We have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and do not incite violence,” the band said in an earlier statement. They called the controversy a “smear campaign.”

Fallout and Backlash

Since the footage surfaced, Kneecap has faced significant backlash. Sponsors have dropped them, several events have removed them, and their U.S. booking agent has severed ties. British media personality Sharon Osbourne even called for the revocation of their U.S. work visas.

Despite the controversy, the festival organizers still scheduled the group to headline Wide Awake Festival in South London’s Brockwell Park on Friday, May 23.

From Underground Rebels to BAFTA Winners

Kneecap, which formed in 2017, delivers politically charged Irish-language rap and often sparks controversy with provocative lyrics and imagery. The trio — Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí — gained critical acclaim for a semi-fictionalized film about their rise, which won a BAFTA in February 2025. Actor Michael Fassbender co-starred in the production.

Political Reaction

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch weighed in, sharing one of the controversial videos online and criticizing the current Labour government for settling a past legal case with the group over the withdrawal of an arts grant when she was a minister.

What’s Next?

As Mo Chara awaits his court date, debate continues over artistic freedom, free speech, and the line between protest and promotion of extremism. The charge raises serious questions about how governments handle controversial expressions in politically turbulent times.

Do you believe artists should be held criminally accountable for controversial political statements made onstage? Join the conversation below.

More…

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2qq2n3800o
• https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/21/europe/kneecap-liam-ohanna-charged-latam-intl
• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/21/member-of-irish-rap-band-kneecap-charged-with-terrorism-offence