Rapper Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), member of Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, has been released on unconditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court to face charges for supporting Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation. His next court date is scheduled for August 20.
The 27-year-old Belfast rapper and actor was received by supporters in their thousands at the west London court, who cheered as Chara entered wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh scarf. Fans were called on to rally outside the hearing by Kneecap, and appeared holding placards and playing the group’s music on a portable speaker. Also present were vans equipped with an LED screen displaying the slogan: “More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara”.
Mo Chara’s charges stem from a November 2024 incident during a Kneecap performance at the O2 Kentish Town, where he allegedly shouted “Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah” while waving the flag of the Lebanese political party and paramilitary group.
In an Instagram post last month, the group branded the legal action against Chara as a “carnival of distraction”, writing: “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us [...] We deny the ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves [...] We are not the story. Genocide is.”
Kneecap have received widespread support from individuals across the music industry in the wake of the controversy, with Massive Attack, Fontaines DC, Biig Piig, Primal Scream, Pulp and even Jeremy Corbyn and French footballer Eric Cantona signing an open letter which branded the legal action a “clear, concerted effort to censor and ultimately deplatform [Kneecap]”.
Kneecap are set to perform at Glastonbury next week.