The Irish hip-hop artist Mo Chara, known for his work with the band Kneecap, faced legal proceedings at Westminster’s Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 18, concerning an alleged terrorism offense.

In May, Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was charged with allegedly expressing support for militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. Both groups are classified as terrorist organizations under U.K. law. This charge arises from videos that surfaced, showing him at a concert in London back in November 2024, where he reportedly shouted phrases such as “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” while displaying a Hezbollah flag.

At the hearing, Mo Chara only confirmed his identity. According to the Press Association, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who is overseeing the case, granted him unconditional bail, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for August 20. Mr. Goldspring emphasized that the 27-year-old must appear in court on that date. The prosecutor, Michael Bisgrove, clarified to the court: “This case does not concern Mr. Ó hAnnaidh’s support for the Palestinian people or his criticisms of Israel” (as reported by The Irish News).

Supporters of Mo Chara gathered outside the courthouse, demonstrating their solidarity. The band Kneecap, along with their label Heavenly, actively encouraged fans and supporters to attend the court proceedings as a show of unity and strength.

The members of the Belfast trio, which includes Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, arrived at the court sporting “Free Mo Chara” t-shirts. In the lead-up to the court appearance, Kneecap made a bold statement by covering London with billboards featuring the message ‘More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara,’ referencing the discriminatory slogans prevalent in certain London pubs during the 1950s and 1960s.

Through their social media channels, Kneecap expressed that the charges against Mo Chara represent “a carnival of distraction” from what they believe to be a more pressing issue: the assertion that “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” a situation they argue is exacerbated by the U.S. government’s financial and military support for Israel despite its alleged war crimes.

The trio claims that their pro-Palestine stance has been manipulated against them, asserting that their artistic expression is being stifled. Renowned artists like Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., Paul Weller, and IDLES have signed an open letter in support of Kneecap. Additionally, on Monday, Johnny Marr, the guitarist from The Smiths, publicly backed the band and urged for their continued participation in the upcoming Glastonbury Festival scheduled for June 27-29, despite calls for a boycott.

Kneecap, the Northern Irish hip-hop group, made waves with the release of their acclaimed album Fine Art in 2024, which was accompanied by a self-titled biopic that garnered critical acclaim, earning nominations for prestigious awards including an Academy Award and winning a BAFTA.

In April 2025, during their performance at Coachella, the group concluded their set with a powerful message: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F–k Israel; free Palestine.” This statement led to significant backlash, with industry figures like Sharon Osbourne calling for their removal from the festival lineup and urging for the revocation of their work visas.

Following the emergence of past videos featuring the band, one in particular from November 2023 surfaced where they allegedly stated, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” In response, Kneecap released a statement apologizing to the families of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, both of whom were tragically murdered while serving as MPs in separate incidents in 2021 and 2016, respectively.

“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,” the group asserted. “We are acutely aware of this issue, given our nation’s history. We firmly reject any notion that we would incite violence against any MP or individual. The footage in question has been taken out of context and is being manipulated for ulterior motives.” Notably, the group was not charged in connection with this specific incident.

Amidst the ongoing controversy, several of Kneecap’s performances were canceled by event organizers, including appearances at TRNSMT in Glasgow and the Eden Sessions in Cornwall. Undeterred, Kneecap announced makeup shows in those cities, which sold out quickly, demonstrating the unwavering support from their fans.