Liam O’Hanna, a member of the Irish hip hop group Kneecap, has been charged with a terrorism offense after allegedly displaying a flag linked to Hezbollah during a performance in London last November. The 27-year-old from Belfast, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, faces serious accusations following an investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police.
According to a statement from the police, O’Hanna was charged with displaying the flag “in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation.” The incident occurred on November 21, 2024, during a Kneecap concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. The police claim that the flag was shown in a manner that could have raised reasonable suspicion of O’Hanna’s support for the group, which is banned in the UK.
The charge follows an online video that surfaced on April 22, 2025, showing the controversial flag at the event. The police investigation, led by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, concluded that the video warranted legal action. O’Hanna is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.
Kneecap, known for their bold stance on political issues, has been outspoken in their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The group has previously denied supporting Hezbollah or Hamas, calling accusations of their involvement with the groups a “smear campaign” designed to discredit them for their political views on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The controversy surrounding Kneecap intensified earlier this year when UK counter-terrorism police launched an investigation into the group following the release of videos that allegedly showed the band making extreme statements. In one video, band members appeared to chant “up Hamas, up Hezbollah,” while in another, a group member said, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory,” referencing members of the UK Conservative Party. This comment led to widespread backlash, especially following the murders of two British MPs, Jo Cox and David Amess, in recent years. Kneecap later issued an apology for the remarks.
Despite the growing controversy, Kneecap’s manager, Daniel Lambert, has strongly defended the group, arguing that the focus on their political statements is part of a broader attempt to silence discussion on sensitive issues like Palestine. “This has nothing to do with Kneecap… it’s about telling the next young band that you cannot speak about Palestine,” Lambert stated in a recent interview with Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
The band, which hails from Northern Ireland, has continued to use its platform to advocate for Palestinian rights and criticize both Israel’s military actions and the support from the United States. Their performance at Coachella earlier this year, where they led the crowd in chants of “Free Free Palestine,” further fueled the controversy, drawing attention to their political message.
As O’Hanna prepares to face charges in court, the case has brought heightened scrutiny to the band’s actions and statements, sparking debate about free speech and the limits of political expression in the music industry.