One of the members of Irish rap group Kneecap appeared in a London court on Wednesday, facing a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance.
Outside the courtroom, dozens of fans gathered in solidarity, waving banners and Palestinian flags while chanting “Free Palestine.”
The case centers on Liam O’Hanna, 27, better known by his stage name Mo Chara. Prosecutors claim he showed the flag of Hezbollah—a group banned in the UK since 2019—during a London concert last November. O’Hanna was formally charged in May and has consistently denied the allegations.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, O’Hanna arrived smiling, accompanied by his bandmates, including Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Moglai Bap), who has stood firmly by his side. Wednesday’s hearing was expected to focus on whether the prosecution is even valid, as some argue the charge falls outside the legal time limit.
A politically charged backdrop
Since the UK banned Hezbollah, displaying its symbols or offering any kind of support has been treated as a serious criminal offence, carrying penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The case comes at a tense time. Kneecap has been outspoken in criticizing Israel and denouncing the ongoing war in Gaza, sparking both admiration and outrage. Meanwhile, the UK government has ramped up prosecutions of people accused of showing sympathy for banned groups. More than 700 arrests have been made this summer alone, particularly after the activist network Palestine Action was outlawed in July.
Palestine Action had admitted responsibility for breaking into a Royal Air Force base earlier this year, causing millions of pounds in damage to aircraft as a protest against Britain’s support for Israel.
Supporters speak out
Despite the gravity of the charges, Kneecap has been met with strong support from their fanbase.
“I took a day off just to be here,” said Mary Hobbs, 31, who had traveled from Belfast to join the crowd outside court. “These charges are ridiculous. The justice system is broken if this is what it spends its time on.”
Prosecutors, however, insist the case has nothing to do with O’Hanna’s political stance. *“He is fully entitled to express his views on Palestine and Israel,” said prosecutor Michael Bisgrove at an earlier hearing. *“This is about him allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag and saying, ‘Up Hamas, up Hezbollah.’”
Kneecap has dismissed the accusations as a distortion. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) this week, the group called the case a “farce” and thanked their fans for standing with them, while urging everyone to remain peaceful at protests.
From cult act to global spotlight
Kneecap, known for their raw mix of rap, punk, and political commentary, often perform in both English and Irish. They’ve built a reputation as provocateurs—heroes to some, dangerous agitators to others.
Their profile skyrocketed last year thanks to a semi-fictional film about the group, which went on to win international acclaim, including awards at the Sundance Film Festival. This summer, they also made waves with a fiery performance at Glastonbury.
For now, Mo Chara faces a long legal battle, while his band—and their fans—stand firmly behind him. Photo by Raph_PH, Wikimedia commons.