Kneecap’s Mo Chara was today (June 18) granted unconditional bail on a terror charge related to an alleged display of support for Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in support of Chara, and chanted “Free Palestine” while waving Irish and Palestinian flags. The case will properly commence on August 20, when legal arguments will be presented by both the prosectuion and defence.
Wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, spoke only to confirm his identity. If convicted, he faces up to six months in prison and a fine, The New York Times reports.
During the short hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court that the case is not about the musician’s “support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel”, adding that “he is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity.” Instead, Bisgrove said, the case is solely based on footage, from a London concert in November 2024, that appeared to show the artist draped in the Hezbollah flag and shouting, “Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!”
Public support of Hamas or Hezbollah is banned in the United Kingdom under anti-terror laws.
Kneecap have come under significant scrutiny since speaking out publicly in support of Palestine and displaying anti-Israel messages during their appearance at this year’s Coachella festival. That performance led to footage of that 2024 incident at the London gig being put back into circulation and generating further criticism from some quarters.
Mo Chara’s defense lawyer, Brenda Campbell, argues that the charge the artist faces falls outside a six-month limit. “If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,” Campbell told the court today.
After the charge against Mo Chara was filed, Kneecap released a statement, saying: “Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay.” On social media, they described the charge as “political policing” and “a carnival of distraction” from the UK government’s support of the Israeli government.
Kneecap, the trio completed by Naoise “Móglaí Bap” Ó Caireallain and JJ “DJ Próvaí” Ó Dochartaigh, broke through with the 2024 album Fine Art, as well as a self-titled semi-autobiographical film.
