An Irish rapper from the Kneecap group, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), appeared in court on Wednesday morning facing terror charges over allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig in 2024. Hundreds of his supporters gathered outside the Westminster Magistrates Court, waving flags and banners, as he entered.
Ó hAnnaidh denies the charges, claiming he does not support Hezbollah and calling the prosecution a “carnival of distraction.” He has been accused of displaying a flag in support of the Lebanese group, which is designated as a terror organization in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation after a video surfaced online of Ó hAnnaidh allegedly displaying the flag during his gig. The court heard legal arguments, with Ó hAnnaidh’s defense team seeking to throw out the case, citing it was not brought within the legal limit of six months.
Judge Paul Goldspring adjourned the case until September 26, when he will give his decision. Ó hAnnaidh left court without entering a plea and will be required to appear at the next hearing.
Supporters outside the courthouse chanted “Free Mo Chara” as police announced public order restrictions on the protests in order to prevent serious disruption. The investigation was sparked by an appearance by Kneecap at the Coachella music festival, where they projected messages about Israel’s war in Gaza.
Kneecap has built a strong international following for their efforts to revive the Irish language through their rap songs, which often address social issues and sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. The band has been vocal advocates for Palestinian rights and faced controversy after performing at Glastonbury, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying they should not have performed due to Ó hAnnaidh’s charges.
Kneecap is set to play several European festivals this summer before their headline gig in London’s Wembley Arena on September 18.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/20/uk/irish-rapper-terrorism-charges-intl-gbr