LONDON — A large number of fans gathered outside a London courthouse on Wednesday in support of Kneecap, an Irish-language hip-hop group, as member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, faced terror-related allegations. The case is seen by some as a politically driven attempt to mute the band’s vocal support for Palestinians just as the group is set to perform at the renowned Glastonbury Festival.
Mo Chara, who was granted unconditional bail, had his initial hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with a follow-up court appearance slated for August 20. The charge against him relates to an incident on November 21, where during a concert in North London, he brandished a Hezbollah flag, an action that has led to accusations he endorsed the Lebanese militant faction. Hezbollah is labeled as a terrorist organization under UK law.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove clarified during the court session that this prosecution is not aimed at curbing Chara’s backing of Palestinian causes or his critique of Israeli policies. “He’s entitled to express his views and solidarity like anyone else,” Bisgrove commented. “The charge pertains to a specific video from last November where Mr. Ó hAnnaidh displayed a Hezbollah flag while cheering ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah,’ both of which are recognized as terrorist groups.”
Kneecap, whose lyrics often discuss themes like drug culture, the working-class experience, and the aspiration for a unified Ireland, has been openly supportive of the Palestinian cause amid the Gaza conflict. Their political stances have sparked controversy in the UK, notably when a government-initiated attempt to withdraw their arts funding was later overturned following a change in administration.
The band’s upcoming performance at Glastonbury Festival, scheduled for Saturday alongside high-profile artists such as Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo, is highly anticipated. The festival draws in crowds of around 200,000 to its location on a rural English farm each summer, making it one of the most significant events in the music calendar.
Entering the court, the Northern Ireland trio signaled their appreciation to the throng of supporters outside, many of whom brandished signs with slogans like “Free Mo Chara” and “Defend Kneecap.” The group has consistently stated that it does not endorse Hezbollah or Hamas, nor does it support violence.
Ahead of the hearing, Kneecap circulated billboards around London featuring the phrase “More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara.” This statement evokes historical placards from the 1950s used by landlords in London to exclude certain ethnic groups from renting their properties.
In a social media statement, Kneecap criticized what they perceive as historical biases by British courts against individuals from Northern Ireland accused of “terrorism” without just cause. “We will fight them. We will win,” the band affirmed, signaling their intent to contest the charges vehemently.