Irish rap group Kneecap denies terror charge over Hezbollah flag incident

Kneecap calls UK police action political policing after rapper Mo Chara charged with supporting a banned group.

Members of the band Kneecap, including Mo Chara and Moglai Bap, perform onstage during Day 1 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 18, 2025, in Indio, California. Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

By Novanka Laras and Yuni Utomo

On Wednesday, British authorities charged Liam O’Hanna, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, with an offence under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a live performance in London on November 21. The UK government classifies Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and militant organisation backed by Iran, as a proscribed group. Supporting such organisations — even symbolically — is a criminal offence under British law.

The charge follows an investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, prompted by a video that surfaced online last month. The footage purportedly shows the rapper holding or displaying a Hezbollah flag while on stage, though the context remains under dispute.

Band calls case politically motivated

Kneecap responded swiftly to the allegations, posting a defiant statement on X (formerly Twitter) denying wrongdoing and labelling the legal action “a carnival of distraction.” The trio asserted that the flag was thrown onto the stage by a member of the audience and denied that the act amounted to support for a banned group.

“We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing,” the band stated. “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 group’s comments referenced the ongoing conflict in Gaza, accusing Western governments of deflecting attention from what it called “genocide” committed by Israel — a charge Israel denies. According to the group, Kneecap is being targeted not for criminal behavior, but for their outspoken stance on geopolitical issues, particularly their criticism of Israeli actions and British foreign policy.

A controversial rise to fame

Formed in Belfast in 2017, Kneecap quickly drew attention for their politically charged lyrics, which often blend Irish nationalist themes, anti-establishment sentiment, and support for the Palestinian cause. Their music, delivered in both Irish and English, has resonated with audiences in Ireland and abroad, while also drawing sharp criticism.

Described by supporters as daring provocateurs and by critics as dangerous extremists, Kneecap has never shied away from controversy. Their semi-fictionalised 2023 film, which mixed satire, drugs, and commentary on Irish identity, earned accolades at the Sundance Film Festival and was shortlisted for Oscar nominations. The success catapulted the group into the global spotlight.

In April, the group made their debut at the Coachella music festival in California, marking a major milestone. Donning their trademark balaclavas, the group used the platform to once again voice support for oppressed cultures and languages, with Mo Chara telling AFP that their work reflects “an international story of languages being oppressed.”

Scrutiny over alleged support for violence

The latest charge against Mo Chara is not the only recent controversy surrounding the group. Additional videos circulated online show Kneecap making politically provocative statements during performances. In one video, a band member can be heard shouting “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah,” which may have further drawn the attention of law enforcement.

Another clip, reportedly under investigation by British authorities, shows Kneecap allegedly urging concertgoers to kill members of the UK’s ruling Conservative Party. While the band later issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess, critics argue the group has crossed the line from activism into incitement.

Despite the backlash, Kneecap insists they do not support violence or terrorism. “We challenge oppression through art and satire,” the group stated in April. “We do not promote violence. We reflect the lived experience of a colonised people.”

Political and legal backlash grows

The fallout from the terror charge has extended beyond the courtroom. The band’s upcoming performances across Europe and the US face uncertainty, with several shows already cancelled. Three concerts in Germany and one in the UK have been dropped, and it remains unclear whether a scheduled Friday appearance at a London festival will proceed.

In the UK, the government has urged organisers of the Glastonbury Festival — where Kneecap is slated to perform next month — to reconsider their invitation. “We expect promoters to think carefully about the messages artists send to the public,” a government spokesperson said.

Dan Lambert, Kneecap’s manager, said there is a “coordinated campaign” to suppress the group’s voice due to their strong condemnation of Israel’s offensive in Gaza. “This isn’t about public safety,” he said. “It’s about silencing dissent.”

Growing support from British music community

Amid the uproar, Kneecap has found backing from prominent figures in the British music industry. Artists including Paul Weller, Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Pulp, and Primal Scream have signed an open letter defending the band and accusing the UK government of censorship.

“We denounce the concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap,” the letter reads. “Artists have a right to challenge political narratives and question state power. Silencing dissent through criminal prosecution is unacceptable in a democracy.”

The letter calls for all charges against the group to be dropped and for concert organisers to stand by their booking decisions.

Legal process ahead

Mo Chara is expected to appear in court later this year, though a trial date has not been announced. If convicted of supporting a proscribed group, he could face a significant prison sentence under the UK’s anti-terror legislation.

Kneecap has vowed to fight the charges, framing the case as part of a broader effort to clamp down on political dissent. “We will not be silenced,” the band stated. “Our art is our resistance.”

As legal proceedings unfold, the case is likely to remain a flashpoint in ongoing debates over free speech, artistic expression, and the UK government’s counterterrorism strategy. For Kneecap, the controversy may bolster their image as cultural revolutionaries — or push them further into the crosshairs of state power.