Irish band Kneecap say terrorism charge seeks to silence artists
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Members of Kneecap posing on the red carpet at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards in Dublin, Ireland, in February.
Follow topic:
LONDON - Irish-language rap band Kneecap said on May 22 that a charge of a terrorism offence
London's Metropolitan Police charged Liam O'Hanna, one of the three members of the Belfast-based band, on May 21 saying he displayed a flag in support of the Iran-backed group during a show in November.
In a statement on X, the band said the charge represented "political policing" and sought "to prosecute artists who dare speak out". The trio said O'Hanna displayed a flag that had been thrown on stage. They did not mention Hezbollah.
O'Hanna, 27, is due to appear in court on June 18.
Kneecap, who rap about Irish identity and support the republican cause of uniting Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, with the Republic of Ireland, faced backlash over pro-Palestinian messages projected during their set last month at the annual music festival Coachella in California.
"Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah," they said on X last month about two groups banned in Britain.
"We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history."
The trio apologised in April to the families of two murdered British members of the parliament after footage emerged of them appearing to say "kill your local MP" during a 2023 performance.
Kneecap is due to play at the Glastonbury Festival in England in June. Some lawmakers have called on the festival organisers to cancel their appearance. REUTERS
