Kneecap’s Mo Chara was today granted unconditional bail on a controversial terror charge linked to an alleged display of support for Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, BBC News reports. Hundreds of supporters cheered, chanted “Free Palestine,” and waved Irish and Palestinian flags outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where a preliminary hearing took place before legal arguments commence on August 20. 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, according to The New York Times.
During the brief hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court that the case is not about the rapper’s “support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel,” adding, “He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity.” Instead, Bisgrove said, the case rests on footage, from a London concert in November 2024, that appeared to show Mo Chara 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.
The Belfast rap trio came under scrutiny from the Metropolitan Police after displaying pro-Palestine and anti-Israel messages at this year’s Coachella, which led to the recirculation of that 2024 footage. Mo Chara’s defense lawyer Brenda Campbell argues the charge falls outside a six-month limit, Reuters reports. “If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,” Campbell told the court.
Since the charge was filed, Kneecap have 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 called the charge “political policing” and “a carnival of distraction.” The group has long been vocal in its support of Palestine and the Palestinian people, and has redoubled that support in light of Israel’s continued assault on Gaza and the West Bank.
Mo Chara was joined by bandmates Naoise “Móglaí Bap” Ó Caireallain and JJ “DJ Próvaí” Ó Dochartaigh. The trio rose to the public eye last year, when they released the album Fine Art and the semi-autobiographical film Kneecap. Their stance on Palestine has led to calls for them to be pulled from festivals, as well as a groundswell of support from fans and fellow artists. Among them is Paul Weller, one of the many present outside the courtroom today.
