![\"PA](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/bf00\/live\/d41269b0-3677-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp\")
PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA member of Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.<\/p>\n Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.<\/p>\n Mr \u00d3 hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 June.<\/p>\n In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: “We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “This is political policing,” it continued.<\/p>\n “This is a carnival of distraction.<\/p>\n “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.”<\/p>\n Officers from the Met’s counter terrorism command were made aware on 22 April of an online video from the event.<\/p>\n Belfast man Mr \u00d3 hAnnaidh has been charged under the name Liam O’Hanna.<\/p>\n An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the charge.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, the Met said it would investigate online videos<\/a> allegedly showing the group calling for the death of British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.<\/p>\n Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.<\/p>\n Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim political and military group in Lebanon which has been involved in a series of violent conflicts.<\/p>\n Kneecap say they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. They say the video in question has been taken out of context.<\/p>\n A number of gigs featuring the band have been called off since the videos emerged.<\/p>\n They are currently scheduled to headline Wide Awake festival in Brockwell Park, south London, on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.<\/p>\n The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, M\u00f3gla\u00ed Bap and DJ Pr\u00f3va\u00ed.<\/p>\n Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.<\/p>\n The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n In April, the group faced criticism and cancelled gigs after displaying messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella last month.<\/p>\n They were dropped by their US visa sponsor and booking agent Independent Artist Group (IAG) and former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for Kneecap’s US work visas to be revoked.<\/a><\/p>\n Following this, footage emerged from previous gigs, which were investigation by counter-terrorism officers.<\/p>\n Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch shared one of the videos and renewed her criticism of the Labour government for last year settling a legal case brought by the group.<\/a><\/p>\n It related to a decision Badenoch made when she was a minister to withdraw an arts grant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250508-105310-2a3fc0651-web-2.21.1-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
![\"Reuters](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/e24d\/live\/b76ead60-266d-11f0-af27-090e238d1774.jpg.webp\")
Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n