Kneecap rapper to appear in court for alleged support of terrorist group
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
Demonstrations in support of the rapper have been organised outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he is due to appear on Wednesday, as well as in Dublin.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place on Wednesday, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'.
In response the rap group described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome' and 'asked supporters to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'.
O hAnnaidh received a rockstar welcome when he appeared at the same court in June, supported by fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh.
He was greeted by a festival-like atmosphere for his first court appearance, with dozens of fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister.
The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'.
O hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge.
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The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Kneecap rapper mobbed by supporters as he appears in court over ‘Hezbollah flag' terror charge
A KNEECAP rapper was mobbed by supporters as he appeared in court charged with a terror offence. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of supporting a proscribed terror organisation. 6 6 6 The 27-year-old allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a gig in London. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address when appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. The court heard three hours of legal arguments, with the performer listening to proceedings through an Irish language interpreter. O hAnnaidh was supported by his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. He was released on conditional bail until September 26. Crowds of supporters had gathered outside to show their support for the performer. Fans held signs which read "Free Mo Chara" while others waved Palestine and Irish flags. O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying the flag during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London, in November. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove previously told the court: "It's not about Mr O hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. "He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. "Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. "So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr O hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation." In a statement following his charge, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." O hAnnaidh and fellow band members Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh were greeted by loud cheers and chants of "Free Palestine" at a previous court appearance. The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions limiting where a planned demonstration outside the court could take place today. In response, the rap group described this move as a "calculated political decision" that was "designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome". Kneecap have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise in the past. The group, which was formed in 2017, displayed messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella in April. A criminal probe was also launched into comments made my the group during their performance at Glastonbury in June. The investigation was later dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service chose to take no further action. 6 6 6
Powys County Times
24 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Hundreds greet Kneecap rapper as he arrives at court on terror charge
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he arrived on Wednesday, as well as in Dublin. The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place, saying they are needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. O hAnnaidh, who arrived at court alongside fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, was swamped by photographers outside, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building. Mr O Caireallain and Mr O Dochartaigh sat at the back of the courtroom with three others as O hAnnaidh confirmed his name, date of birth and address to the court at the start of the hearing. O hAnnaidh's defence team are seeking to throw the case out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. Brenda Campbell KC told the court the Attorney General had not given permission for the case to be brought against the defendant when police informed him he was to face a terror charge on May 21. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said permission was not required until the defendant's first court appearance. Hundreds of supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people-carrier to the building. Fans held signs which read 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival at court. Chants of 'free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd. In response to the Met imposing conditions on the protest, Kneecap described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome', and 'asked supporters to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'. O hAnnaidh received a rockstar welcome when he appeared at the same court in June, supported by Mr O Caireallain and Mr O Dochartaigh. He was greeted by a festival-like atmosphere for his first court appearance, with dozens of fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'.
BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Regulator raises concerns over Met's facial recognition cameras
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