Kneecap’s Mo Chara was right this moment granted unconditional bail on a controversial terror cost linked to an alleged show of help for Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, BBC Information experiences. A whole lot of supporters cheered, chanted “Free Palestine,” and waved Irish and Palestinian flags outdoors Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom, the place a preliminary listening to came about earlier than authorized arguments start on August 20. Carrying a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, Mo Chara, whose actual identify is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, spoke solely to substantiate his identification. If convicted, he faces as much as six months in jail and a fantastic, in line with The New York Occasions.
In the course of the temporary listening to, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove instructed the courtroom that the case is just not in regards to the rapper’s “help for the individuals of Palestine or his criticism of Israel,” including, “He’s effectively inside his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity.” As an alternative, Bisgrove stated, the case rests on footage, from a London live performance in November 2024, that appeared to indicate Mo Chara draped within the Hezbollah flag and shouting, “Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!” Public help of Hamas or Hezbollah is banned in the UK below anti-terror legal guidelines.
The Belfast rap trio got here below scrutiny from the Metropolitan Police after displaying pro-Palestine and anti-Israel messages at this 12 months’s Coachella, which led to the recirculation of that 2024 footage. Mo Chara’s protection lawyer, Brenda Campbell, argues the cost falls outdoors a six-month restrict, Reuters experiences. “If we’re proper in relation to that, then this courtroom has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,” Campbell instructed the courtroom.
Because the cost was filed, Kneecap have launched a press release saying, “Allow us to be unequivocal: we don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all assaults on civilians, at all times. It’s by no means okay.” On social media, they referred to as the cost “political policing” and “a carnival of distraction.” The group has lengthy been vocal in its help of Palestine and the Palestinian individuals, and has redoubled that help in gentle of Israel’s continued assault on Gaza and the West Financial institution.
Mo Chara was joined right this moment by bandmates Naoise “Móglaí Bap” Ó Caireallain and JJ “DJ Próvaí” Ó Dochartaigh. Kneecap rose to the general public eye final 12 months, after they launched the album Fantastic Artwork and the semi-autobiographical movie Kneecap. Their stance on Palestine has led to requires them to be pulled from festivals, in addition to a groundswell of help from followers and fellow artists. Amongst them is Paul Weller, one of many many current outdoors the courtroom right this moment.
