Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap have issued a statement in response to member Mo Chara (born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) being charged with a terror offense by London’s Metropolitan Police.
Ó hAnnaidh was charged on Wednesday, May 21st, for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah during their concert at O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London in November 2024. Hezbollah is designated as a “proscribed” terrorist group under UK law, making this an offense under the Terrorism Act of 2000.
“We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves,” Kneecap wrote on social media. “This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.”
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The group added, “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.”
“As they profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage,” Kneecap continued. “A charge not serious enough to even warrant their ‘crown court,’ instead a court that doesn’t have a jury. What’s the objective?”
The band further criticized the British government by saying, “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.”
“We stand proudly with the people,” 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.”
Ó hAnnaidh was charged following an investigation launched by UK counter-terrorism police earlier this month into online videos allegedly showing Kneecap expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah.
Kneecap previously released a statement saying they “do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.” They added, “An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.”
The group has been under immense scrutiny since displaying pro-Palestine, anti-Israel messaging at Coachella 2025: Sharon Osbourne publicly called for their work visas to be rescinded, they parted ways with US booking agency Independent Artist Group, and several of their concerts were canceled in Germany.
Several high-profile UK acts, including Massive Attack, Pulp, Primal Scream, Fontaines D.C., IDLES, and The Pogues, have supported Kneecap, signing an open letter defending their freedom of expression.
Kneecap have just announced their first concert since Coachella: an intimate show at London’s 100 Club taking place tonight, May 22nd. They’re also set to play Wide Awake Festival this Friday, May 23rd.
Ó hAnnaidh is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18th.
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) May 22, 2025
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