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London, UK – A member of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been charged with a terrorism offence by the Metropolitan Police. The charge stems from an incident at a concert in London in November 2024, where he is alleged to have displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the United Kingdom. This development comes amidst heightened scrutiny of the Belfast-based trio's provocative political statements and performances, sparking a wider debate about artistic expression, censorship, and the boundaries of political commentary.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, of Belfast, was charged by postal requisition under the UK's Terrorism Act. The specific charge relates to displaying a flag "in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation." He is now scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, 2025.
The Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command initiated an investigation after an online video from the November 21, 2024 gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north-west London, surfaced on April 22, 2025. The Crown Prosecution Service subsequently authorized the charge.
This incident is not an isolated one in the controversial history of Kneecap, known for their confrontational style and Irish nationalist messaging, often delivered in the Irish language. The group has garnered significant attention, and criticism, for their politically charged actions on stage. Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police announced they were investigating other videos circulated online that allegedly showed band members making provocative statements, including calling for the deaths of British Members of Parliament and shouting "Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah." Both Hamas and Hezbollah are designated as terrorist organizations in the UK, and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.
Kneecap has vehemently denied supporting violence or any banned groups, asserting that the video footage in question has been "deliberately taken out of context" and "exploited and weaponized." They have apologized to the families of murdered MPs, but maintain that their comments were misinterpreted, and that their criticism of Israeli actions against Palestinians in Gaza has been seized upon by "establishment figures" to "manufacture moral hysteria."
The band's recent performances have been a lightning rod for controversy. At the Coachella music festival in California, they ended their set with on-screen messages accusing Israel of genocide and war crimes. This led to accusations from Kneecap that Coachella censored a pro-Palestine message from their livestream, and subsequently, the band was dropped by their US visa sponsor, resulting in the cancellation of several international gigs in Germany and the UK.
The legal proceedings against Mo Chara will undoubtedly intensify the ongoing discussion surrounding artistic freedom, political commentary, and the legal limits within which performers can operate. For many, Kneecap's music is a powerful form of protest and cultural expression, while for others, their actions cross a line into the realm of inciting hatred or supporting proscribed organizations. The case will be closely watched as it sets a potential precedent for how politically charged artistic performances are judged under terrorism legislation.
Source@BBC