Protesters support Kneecap’s Mo Chara at court hearing for terror offence
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(Credits: Rachael Pimblett / Raph Pour-Hashemi)
At Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18th, Kneecap‘s Mo Chara was officially charged with a terror offence.
The Irish rapper, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, appeared in court for a hearing at 10:00am following a protest attended by a huge number of fans who gathered in support of the musician. Paul Weller was one of those among the crowd, having previously signed a petition in support of Kneecap amid a police investigation into the historic concerts by the band.
The charge relates to a video from Kneecap’s November 2024 concert at O2 Kentish Town Forum, London. In the clip, Mo Chara can be heard seemingly shouting, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” Both Hamas and Hezbollah are recognised as terrorist organisations in the UK.
During his court appearance, Ó hAnnaidh spoke only to confirm his name and address. He has been released on unconditional bail and will next appear in court on August 20th. The musician was told by the court he must attend court on that day in person.
Following the hearing, Ó hAnnaidh spoke outside the court to the crowds that gathered alongside his Kneecap bandmates while draped in a keffiyeh. He also confirmed they would still be appearing at Glastonbury, stating, “For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there”, before adding, “If you can’t be there, we’ll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC.”
The trio then led the crowd into a chant of “Free Palestine”. Their lawyer then addressed those in attendance to deliver an impassioned speech in defence of Kneecap and said the band are “speaking truth to power”.
After being charged in May, Kneecap shared on social media, “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. They profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their ‘crown court’, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury.”
They also confirmed they “deny this offence”, described the charge as “political policing” and labelled the situation “a carnival of distraction”.
This is a developing story.
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