Latest news with #terroroffence
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
UK police end Kneecap Glastonbury inquiry citing ‘insufficient evidence'
LONDON, July 19 — UK police said yesterday they had dropped a criminal investigation into on-stage comments by Irish rappers Kneecap at the Glastonbury festival. Avon and Somerset Police in southwest England said last month it had launched an enquiry after reviewing 'video footage and audio' of both Kneecap and London-based duo Bob Vylan, whose frontman led a chant against the Israeli army at the festival. The Kneecap probe was focused on remarks made about a forthcoming court case in which one band member Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, is charged with a 'terror' offence over alleged support for banned organisations Hamas and Hezbollah. But in an update the force said it would take no further action against Kneecap, whose members had been informed of the decision. 'Detectives sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service during their enquiries and after that advice, we have made the decision to take no further action on the grounds there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence,' it said. Inquiries into the separate allegations against Bob Vylan, however, would continue, it added. Chara appeared in court in June accused of having displayed a Hezbollah flag while saying 'Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah' at a London concert last year. The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas are banned in the UK, where it is an offence to express support for them. Kneecap deny the terrorism charge and say the video featuring the Hezbollah flag has been taken out of context. — AFP
BreakingNews.ie
17-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh to appear in London court on Wednesday
Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18th, charged with an alleged terror offence. Rapper Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is to be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. Advertisement The 27-year-old was charged by postal requisition over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. The court appearance is a day before the Kneecap's sold-out Fairview Park concert in Dublin. On Instagram this week, the trio's account posted a photo with the caption, "Wee update for all the legends headed to Fairview Park on Thursday. Flags are allowed but flag poles aren't. "Little court date before then but see yis soon x." Advertisement On Tuesday, the group revealed that they had "plastered London with a few messages" ahead of the court date. The messages, consisting of text saying "More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara", a reference to signs that showed up in some properties for rent in London in the 1950s. Ó hAnnaidh's legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ní Ghralaigh KC. In an Instagram post last week, the group said: 'The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap, which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court… We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us.' Advertisement In May, the Metropolitan Police said Kneecap were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. They apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. They also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In 2024, the band released an eponymous film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music. Formed in 2017, the group, made up of Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, is known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language.
