Kneecap rapper charged with terrorism offence over alleged Hezbollah flag at gig

Liam O'Hanna, a member of the prominent Irish rap trio Kneecap, has been charged with a terrorism offence in the UK.

O'Hanna, 27, is charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a concert in northwest London's O2 Forum last November.

This comes after Kneecap were filmed displaying graphics saying "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people" and "Fuck Israel, Free Palestine" at the Coachella festival in California.

But the group has repeatedly denied supporting Hezbollah or Hamas, which are proscribed organisations in the UK.

It is a crime under British law to express support for either group.

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Kneecap posted a statement on social media saying: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.

"This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction."

They added: "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."

More than 40 artists, including Massive Attack, Paul Weller and Fontaines DC, previously signed a letter defending the band's creative freedom and criticising what they called "a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform the group".

Kneecap were formed in 2017 and inspired a recent semi-fictional film, in which they star, which won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February.

The Metropolitan Police said it was made aware of a video from the London concert on 22 April.

Earlier this month, the Met said it would investigate videos allegedly showing members of Kneecap shouting "Up Hamas" and "kill your local MP".

Kneecap were widely criticised by British politicians, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson calling the video footage "completely unacceptable".

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Kneecap’s "anti-British hatred has no place in our society".

As business secretary, she had tried to block a £14,250 government grant to the group, but the High Court later ruled that the decision was "unlawful and procedurally unfair". 

Kneecap have said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and have not incited violence against anyone, arguing that the circulated video footage was taken out of context.

They added that their "message has always been - and remains - one of love, inclusion, and hope".

The group is scheduled to headline Wide Awake festival in south London on Friday.

O'Hanna - whose stage name is Mo Chara - is due to appear at Westminster magistrates' court on 18 June.

middleeasteye.net