Kneecap rapper Liam O'Hanna faces terror charge over Hezbollah flag as fans rally in London
A sea of protest in central London
O'Hanna, dressed defiantly and flanked by his bandmates, arrived to face charges of supporting a banned organisation. Prosecutors allege he displayed a Hezbollah flag during a London performance in November 2024, a move that could carry up to 14 years in prison under UK anti-terrorism laws.
🇬🇧 #Kneecap rapper #MoChara, also known as Liam O'Hanna, has been charged with a #terrorism offence over allegedly displaying a #Hezbollah flag at a London concert last November.For more details: https://t.co/9z1nNWMwZo📸 Reuters pic.twitter.com/P4AE4mdtKz
A charge rooted in controversy
The case hinges not only on O'Hanna's alleged actions but also on timing. Legal arguments are being made over whether the prosecution missed the six-month window for filing such a charge. Supporters of the rapper describe the case as politically charged and absurd, pointing to Britain's wider clampdown on dissent over Gaza.
Since Hezbollah was banned in the UK in 2019, any public support is deemed a criminal offence. Prosecutors argue O'Hanna not only wore the group's flag but also shouted slogans backing Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap, however, insists the video evidence has been taken out of context and branded the proceedings a 'farce.'
Fans call it 'ludicrous'
Among the crowd outside court was Mary Hobbs, a 31-year-old fan from Belfast, who had taken time off work to stand in solidarity. She said the charges highlight what she described as a broken justice system, where symbolic gestures are treated as terrorism offences while the public clamours for fairness.
Between art, politics, and provocation
Kneecap is no stranger to controversy. The punk-rap trio, performing in both Irish and English, has long relished its reputation as troublemakers. Their lyrics reference drugs, their stage antics spark outrage, and their politics, from anti-British sentiment to fiery support for Palestine, often ignite headlines.
Still, their supporters insist the group is being persecuted for speaking truth to power, while detractors call them dangerous extremists cloaked in rebellion.
A band that thrives on the edge
Since their formation in 2017, Kneecap have turned provocation into an art form, winning awards, selling out shows, and starring in a Sundance-winning film that cemented their cult status. Now, as Mo Chara fights a terrorism charge, the band faces its most dramatic clash yet, not with censors or critics, but with the British courts.
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