Kneecap member charged with terror offence over display of flag in support of Hezbollah

A member of Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence.

Liam O'Hanna, aged 27 from Belfast, has been charged after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, the Metropolitan Police has said.

It relates to an incident on 21 November 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.

Mr O'Hanna, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 18 June.

Officers from the Met's counter terrorism command were made aware on 22 April of an online video from the event.

An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charge.

Earlier this month, the Met said it would investigate online videos allegedly showing the group calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them.

Kneecap say they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. They say the video in question has been taken out of context.

A number of gigs featuring the band have been called off since the videos emerged.

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