Kneecap rapper granted bail on terror charge over Hezbollah flag at London gig
A London court granted unconditional bail to a member of the Irish language rap group Kneecap on Wednesday after being charged under the Terrorism Act.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, also known by his stage name Mo Chara, appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged in May for allegedly holding a Hezbollah flag during a concert at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town in November.
Under UK law, Hezbollah is a proscribed terrorist organisation, meaning expressing support for the group is illegal.
No plea was heard during the hearing due to disagreements from Og O hAnnaidh’s defence surrounding the date charges were lodged against the performer.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the court in central London during Og O hAnnaidh's short hearing on Wednesday morning.
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“Today, the truth was outed,” said a spokesperson for the group, who are from Northern Ireland, after the hearing.
“This was a rushed prosecution after the Coachella performance [in California] where Kneecap did not shy away from speaking truth to power.
“Oppression fears freedom of expression,” he continued.
However, in their opening address, the prosecution insisted that “this case is not about [Og O hAnnaidh’s] support for Palestine or his criticism of Israel” but simply regarded the alleged flag incident.
'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is'
- Kneecap statement
The prosecution also mentioned another incident in which Og O hAannaidh is alleged to have said: “Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah.”
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who oversaw the hearing, noted that no Irish language court interpreter had been available for Og O hAnnaidh, who performs in a mixture of English and Irish.
“We were going to have one today, but I will be blunt, we couldn't find one,” admitted Goldspring.
Og O hAnnaidh could face six months' imprisonment if he is found guilty.
A statement on the band’s Instagram page said: “We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.”
Outside the court, crowds cheered as a van with a billboard displaying the message, “More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara”, drove past the court.
A traditional Irish band was also playing to the crowds, as fans waved Irish and Palestinian flags supporting Kneecap.
Darragh Mackin, one of the three barristers representing Og O hAnnaidh, said, "Kneecap has played an unrivalled role in standing up for those without a voice in Gaza."
"It is difficult to comprehend a case of greater international importance in recent years," said Mackin.
"Kneecap speaks truth to power when others shy away."
The case continues on 20 August.
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