A member of the Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with terrorism. Rapper Mo Chara waved a Hezbollah flag during a concert last November. In the United Kingdom, it is forbidden to openly support that militant organization.
The charge is based on a video of a Kneecap concert in London. The 27-year-old Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam O’Hanna, is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag on stage.
Earlier this month, London police announced an investigation into videos featuring Kneecap. In those videos, the rappers call for the death of British parliamentarians and cheer on Hamas and Hezbollah. Both organizations are banned in the UK. It is punishable to express support for them.
The rappers say they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would never incite violence against others, reports BBC News. The group states that the video in question has been taken out of context. The rap group is known for its provocative lyrics.
A number of the band’s performances have been canceled since the images circulated. Mo Chara is due to appear in court on June 18.