Kneecap Member Faces Terror Charges for Flag Display at Concert

Liam Og O Hannaidh, also known as Mo Chara, denies the accusations and claims it’s a political attack amidst a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

A member of Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offense in connection to a flag incident at a London concert last November. Authorities allege that Liam Og O Hannaidh, using the stage name Mo Chara, displayed a flag signifying support for Hezbollah, known as a terrorist organization in the UK.

The charges, authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service, stem from an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Counterterrorism unit, initiated after footage surfaced online. In the video, O Hannaidh performs whilst unfurling a yellow flag, cheering, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah!” with the enthusiastic crowd at the O2 Forum concert.

Kneecap responded to the charges on their Instagram page, asserting their commitment to defending against what they label "political policing." The group emphasized the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza amidst Israel’s blockade disrupting vital supplies, framing their situation as one of misdirection from grave global issues, stating, “We are not the story. Genocide is.”

Scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, the group remains committed to their narrative as artists promoting Irish cultural identity. The Belfast-based trio debuted their music in 2017, garnering a dedicated following known for its unique blend of Irish lyrics with hip-hop and electronic sound.

Kneecap recently won a British Academy Film Award for a dramatized portrayal of their lives and music. Despite the legal challenges, they are set to headline the Wide Awake festival in London soon. The case continues to draw attention both for its implications regarding freedom of expression and the ongoing political context in which it unfolds.