Member of Irish rap band Kneecap charged with terror offence – National

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Member of Irish rap band Kneecap charged with terror offence – National

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Irish-language rap band Kneecap said on Thursday that a charge of a terrorism offence against one of its members for displaying a flag of banned militant group Hezbollah represented an attempt to prosecute artists who speak out.

London’s Metropolitan Police charged Liam O’Hanna, 27, one of the three members of the Belfast-based band, on Wednesday, saying he displayed a flag “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation,” in this case identified as Hezbollah.

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, the band said the charge represented “political policing” and sought “to prosecute artists who dare speak out.” The trio said O’Hanna displayed a flag that had been thrown on stage. They did not mention Hezbollah.

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— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL)

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O’Hanna, 27, is due to appear in court on June 18.

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Kneecap, who rap about Irish identity and support the republican cause of uniting Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, with the Republic of Ireland, faced backlash over pro-************ messages projected during their set last month at the annual music festival Coachella in California.

“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported ****** or Hezbollah,”

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about two groups banned in Britain. “We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.”

The trio

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of two murdered British members of the parliament after footage emerged of them appearing to say “kill your local MP” during a 2023 performance.

Kneecap is due to play at the Glastonbury Festival in England in June. Some lawmakers have called on the festival organizers to cancel their appearance.

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