A rapper from the group Kneecap has arrived in court after being accused of a terrorism offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
The 27-year-old is in court following the alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London.
Other band members Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and J J Ó Dochartaigh also arrived to a scrum of hundreds of their supporters who cheered as their vehicle pulled up.
The band were wearing “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts as they arrived at the central London court.
The charge O hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation” – namely Hezbollah.
Supporters of Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court (Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)Kneecap described the prosecution as a “witch hunt” in a post on X on Tuesday evening.
Outside court, Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which provoked boos, swearing and shouts of “free Palestine”.
The crowd became animated and shouted “Israel is a terrorist state” and “take him out for his own safety” as he made gestures and argued with protesters.
Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed.
Kneecap said it had “plastered” London with messages of support prior to today’s court appearance.
The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O’Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online.
In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth.
The Met previously said the Belfast rap trio were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
Kneecap said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
(This story is being updated)
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