Latest news with #CounterTerrorismCommand
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Fourth man arrested over ‘arson attack' at homes linked to Sir Keir Starmer after cops swoop on Stansted airport
A FOURTH man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a series of fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer in North London. Cops say a 48-year-old man was detained today at London Stansted Airport following the suspected arson attacks last month. 2 A forensics officer after a fire in Kentish Town, north London, last month Credit: PA 2 A 4x4 was also allegedly set alight Credit: PA He was initially stopped by officers under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, 2000, before being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The arrest is connected to an investigation into a fire involving the PM's former Toyota Rav4 on May 8, a property where he once lived on May 11, and his family's former house on May 12. The man has been taken to a London police station, where he currently remains in police custody. Police have already charged Roman Lavrynovych, 21, a Ukrainian national, with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life; Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, a Romanian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life; Petro Pochynok, 34, a Ukrainian national, with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The three men have been remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Friday, (June 6). The investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command due to the fires all having connections to a high-profile public figure. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 quoting CAD 441/12 May. Enquiries remain ongoing.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Kneecap's 'secret' London show met with police presence after speedy sell-out
Met Police officers could be seen entering the 100 Club on Oxford Street in central London on May 22 where rap trio Kneecap had announced a surprise sold-out gig on Thursday night Police turned up at Kneecap 's surprise gig in London on Thursday just hours after rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence. Three officers were spotted entering the 100 Club, located on Oxford Street, where the rap trio had announced the performance for May 22 at approximately 7.35pm. A queue had started forming ahead of the concert as anticipation continued to build in the lead-up. Posting on X, the band had confirmed that tickets had sold out in a mere 90 seconds with a growing waiting list of around 2,000 people. Due to this huge crowd, the Metropolitan Police had confirmed plans were in place to ensure health and safety at the event. The Met Office told The Mirror: 'A police plan was in place around last night's event to ensure it passed off safely. This was primarily in terms of managing visitors to the venue for what was understood to be a spontaneous and sold out event.' It comes after Óg Ó hAnnaidh - who performs under the name Mo Chara - was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag. A proscribed terror organisation where it is considered a crime for 'inviting support' for the group. The incident is believed to have taken place on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. Police from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command launched an urgent probe after being made aware on April 22. Following a review of video footage from the event, Óg Ó hAnnaidh was later charged with an offence relating to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000. The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18. Kneecap responded, indicating they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, arguing the footage in question was taken out of context. A number of gigs featuring the group have since been cancelled. In a statement, the Met Police said: "A man has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. Liam O'Hanna, 27, of Belfast has been charged, via postal requisition, with displaying a flag in support of Hezballah, a proscribed organisation. "On November 21 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000. Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, 22 April of an online video from the event. "An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge. O'Hanna is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 18 June."
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Irish Rappers Kneecap Deny Hezbollah Support after Terror Charge
Irish rappers Kneecap on Thursday denied supporting a proscribed group and vowed to "vehemently defend ourselves" after a member of the band was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert. "We deny this 'offense' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the band said on X, according to AFP. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was on Wednesday charged with showing support for a proscribed group during a performance on November 21. London's Metropolitan Police said officers from its Counter Terrorism Command launched an investigation after a video of the event surfaced online in April. In its statement, Kneecap attacked the "establishment" for trying to focus attention elsewhere while the population of Gaza suffered, and accused Israel of committing genocide. "We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage". The charge follows growing scrutiny of Kneecap's performances after footage circulated online showing provocative political statements made by the band on stage. One video appeared to show a band member shouting: "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah." Those groups, in Gaza and in Lebanon, are banned as terror organizations in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. The band, known for its confrontational style and Irish nationalist messaging, has denied supporting violence or banned groups.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘We are not the story' – Kneecap breaks silence following rapper Mo Chara's charge over UK terror offence
KNEECAP have broken their silence after one member was charged yesterday over the displaying of a flag in apparent support of Hezbollah at a London gig. The rap trio has now said they will "vehemently defend' themselves against the terrorism offence brought by Advertisement 2 Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged yesterday Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 2 The Belfast rap group have issued a statement Credit: Getty Images - Getty They have also described the charge as "political" and a "distraction". Liam O'Hanna, or Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, from The incident unfolded on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum, in Kentish Town, Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command launched an urgent probe after being made aware on April 22. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS An investigation was carried out after reviewing video footage from the event. O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name The rap group issued a statement this morning, claiming the charge is a "distraction" from what is happening in The band said: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of the wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Exclusive "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.' They added it as 'political policing' and 'a carnival of distraction'. "We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their 'crown court' [sic] instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? "To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out.' Advertisement They continued: 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. "The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' They reiterated that they "stand proudly with the people' of Palestine. They concluded: "You stand complicit with the war criminals. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in your court. We will win. Free Palestine.' Advertisement The rapper is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18. A Met Police spokesperson said: "A man has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. "Liam O'Hanna, 27, of Belfast has been charged, via postal requisition, with displaying a flag in support of "On 21 November 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000. Advertisement "Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, 22 April of an online video from the event. "An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge. "O'Hanna is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 18 June."
Irish Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Kneecap member charged with terror offence over flag at London show
A MEMBER of Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence over a flag displayed at a show in London. The Met Police say Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh — who the force refers to as Liam O'Hanna — is charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation. It follows an investigation by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command and relates to a show at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London on November 21 last year. The force said that the 27-year-old, who performs under the name Mo Chara, displayed the flag 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hizballah'. "Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, April 22 of an online video from the event," added a statement. "An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge." Kneecap recently apologised to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess after a video from a 2023 show resurfaced in which one member says: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." In a statement, they said they rejected 'any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual'. The band, who have been open about their support of Palestine, were also recently criticised over messages displayed at their Coachella shows in April. One read: "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people," with a second adding: "It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes." A third read: "F*** Israel. Free Palestine." Kneecap responded with a statement saying the criticism was part of 'a coordinated smear campaign'. "Let us be absolutely clear. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing," they said. "Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. "They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide." Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 18. See More: Kneecap, Palestine
