Kneecap’s Mo Chara was immediately granted unconditional bail on a controversial terror charge linked to an alleged show of help for Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, BBC News experiences. Tons of of supporters cheered, chanted “Free Palestine,” and waved Irish and Palestinian flags exterior Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom, the place a preliminary listening to befell earlier than authorized arguments begin on August 20. Carrying a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, Mo Chara, whose actual title is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, spoke solely to verify his identification. If convicted, he faces as much as six months in jail and a nice, based on The New York Times.
Through the temporary listening to, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove advised the court docket that the case just isn’t concerning the rapper’s “help for the folks of Palestine or his criticism of Israel,” including, “He’s effectively inside his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity.” As a substitute, Bisgrove mentioned, the case rests on footage, from a London live performance in November 2024, that appeared to indicate Mo Chara draped within the Hezbollah flag and shouting, “Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!” Public help of Hamas or Hezbollah is banned in the UK underneath anti-terror legal guidelines.
The Belfast rap trio got here underneath scrutiny from the Metropolitan Police after displaying pro-Palestine and anti-Israel messages at this 12 months’s Coachella, which led to the recirculation of that 2024 footage. Mo Chara’s protection lawyer, Brenda Campbell, argues the cost falls exterior a six-month restrict, Reuters experiences. “If we’re proper in relation to that, then this court docket has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,” Campbell advised the court docket.
For the reason that cost was filed, Kneecap have launched a statement saying, “Allow us to be unequivocal: we don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all assaults on civilians, at all times. It’s by no means okay.” On social media, they called the cost “political policing” and “a carnival of distraction.” The group has lengthy been vocal in its help of Palestine and the Palestinian folks, and has redoubled that help in mild of Israel’s continued assault on Gaza and the West Financial institution.
Mo Chara was joined immediately by bandmates Naoise “Móglaí Bap” Ó Caireallain and JJ “DJ Próvaí” Ó Dochartaigh. Kneecap rose to the general public eye final 12 months, once they launched the album Fine Art and the semi-autobiographical movie Kneecap. Their stance on Palestine has led to requires them to be pulled from festivals, in addition to a groundswell of help from followers and fellow artists. Amongst them is Paul Weller, one of many many current exterior the courtroom immediately.
