Member of Irish rap band charged with terrorism offence

London: British police have charged a member of Irish hip-hop group Kneecap with a terrorism offence for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a live performance.

The Metropolitan Police pressure mentioned Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, was charged beneath the Terrorism Act with displaying a flag in assist of a proscribed organisation. The alleged offence occurred on the Kentish City Discussion board, a London venue, on November 21, 2024.

Police referred to the musician by the English spelling of his title, Liam O’Hanna. His stage title is Mo Chara. Police mentioned he was due in court docket on June 18.

Kneecap’s administration group didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark, Reuters reported.

Police this month mentioned counterterrorism detectives have been investigating Kneecap after movies emerged from a 2023 London live performance allegedly exhibiting the band shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and calling on folks to kill lawmakers.

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The footage allegedly confirmed a member of the band saying: “We’re still under British occupation in Ireland. We still have old men in London making decisions that affect my life in Ireland.

“And even worse, they’re f—ing Tories. The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” After the police investigation was introduced, Kneecap mentioned it had “never supported Hamas or Hezbollah”, and accused “establishment figures” of taking feedback out of context to “manufacture moral hysteria”.

Police mentioned they have been nonetheless investigating 2023 footage.