Kneecap's Member Faces Terror Charge Over Hezbollah Flag Display at London Concert

Fri Jul 18 2025 18:02:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Kneecap's Member Faces Terror Charge Over Hezbollah Flag Display at London Concert

Controversy erupts as Kneecap member Liam Og O Hannaidh is charged with a terrorism offense related to a pro-Hezbollah flag during a performance.


Liam Og O Hannaidh, known as Mo Chara, of the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap, is charged with displaying a flag supporting Hezbollah at a London concert, prompting the group to assert their defense against political policing amid the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.


A member of the rap group Kneecap, hailing from Northern Ireland, has been charged with a terrorism offense after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert in London. The charges against Liam Og O Hannaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, were announced on Wednesday following investigations by the Metropolitan Police’s Counterterrorism officers.

The flag display took place during a performance at the O2 Forum in November, with the police affirming that the flag appeared to promote Hezbollah, an organization classified as a terrorist group in Britain. If convicted, O Hannaidh, appearing in court under his formal name Liam O’Hanna, could face up to six months in prison and fines as stipulated under the law prohibiting public support for such groups.

Kneecap has publicly denied the charges, asserting their stance against what they describe as "political policing." In an Instagram statement released shortly after the allegations, the group emphasized the need to focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where they pointed out severe shortages caused by ongoing conflict and restrictions on aid. "We are not the story. Genocide is," the statement declared, reflecting their political activism through music.

A video from the concert, shared online, captures the moment O Hannaidh wrapped the yellow flag around his shoulders and later chants of “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” were echoed by the crowd. The police, having received a tip-off about the performance in April, initiated an investigation into the event following the emergence of the footage.

A formal court summons has been mailed to O Hannaidh, who is set to stand before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18. The Metropolitan Police are also delving into another incident from a Kneecap event that occurred in November 2023, signifying a widening scope of investigation.

Kneecap, a musical trio from Belfast, has gained recognition for blending Irish lyrics with hip-hop and electronic beats since their formation in 2017. Known for their socio-political themes and support for Irish nationalism, they recently starred in a drama about their experiences which earned a British Academy Film Award. The group is also scheduled to headline the Wide Awake festival in London soon, igniting discussions on their controversial messaging surrounding political activism in music.

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