Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, one-third of Irish rap group Kneecap, has been charged with a terror offense in the U.K.
Ó Hannaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara and was a star of Rich Peppiatt’s “print the legend” biopic on the Belfast-based band, is accused of “displaying a flag in support of proscribed organization Hezbollah at a London gig,” according to the city’s Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard.
The 27-year-old was charged by the police after an incident on Nov. 21, 2024, at a venue in north London. He is due to appear in court on June 18.
The band took to social media after news of the charge. “We deny this ‘offense’ and will vehemently defend ourselves,” said Kneecap. “This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. 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.”
Concluded the band: “We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in court. We will win.”
The group has drawn widespread criticism in recent months, and the Met Police said it would investigate after online videos showed the band calling for the death of British parliament ministers, as well as chanting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” It is illegal in the U.K. to express support for Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim political and military group in Lebanon, as it is considered a terrorist organization in Britain.
Kneecap, also made up of members Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, said the video in question has been taken out of context, and that they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah.
Last year, the movie Kneecap, also starring Michael Fassbender, dominated film headlines. Director Peppiatt made BAFTA history by tying the record for nominations for a debut filmmaker with six. He won one BAFTA, namely for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer, with Peppiatt serving as both writer and director of the film.
But the group’s political views have gotten them into hot water. In April, they displayed messages about the ongoing war in Gaza during their Coachella set, leading to the cancellation of their concerts in Germany. Later, they parted ways with their booking agency Independent Artist Group, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.
Kneecap is set to headline the Wide Awake festival in South London on Friday.