Member of Irish rap band Kneecap charged with terror offence – National | Globalnews.ca

Irish-language rap band Kneecap mentioned on Thursday {that a} rate of a terrorism offence towards one among its individuals for exhibiting a flag of banned militant workforce Hezbollah represented an try to prosecute artists who discuss out.

London’s Metropolitan Police charged Liam O’Hanna, 27, probably the most 3 individuals of the Belfast-based band, on Wednesday, pronouncing 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,” on this case known as Hezbollah.

In a remark on X, the band mentioned the rate represented “political policing” and sought “to prosecute artists who dare speak out.” The trio mentioned O’Hanna displayed a flag that have been thrown on level. They didn’t point out Hezbollah.

O’Hanna, 27, is because of seem in court docket on June 18.

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Kneecap, who rap about Irish identification and give a boost to the republican explanation for uniting Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, with the Republic of Ireland, confronted backlash over pro-Palestinian messages projected all over their set closing month at the once a year tune pageant Coachella in California.

“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah,” they mentioned on X closing month about two teams 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 apologized in April to the households of 2 murdered British individuals of the parliament after pictures emerged of them showing to mention “kill your local MP” all over a 2023 efficiency.

Kneecap is because of play on the Glastonbury Festival in England in June. Some lawmakers have known as at the pageant organizers to cancel their look.