Irish rap band Kneecap said Thursday that terrorist crimes were charged against one of its members as it showed the banner of the banned radical group Hezbollah, representing prosecution of the loudly clamored artists.
Metropolitan police in London accused Liam O'Hanna, 27, of one of three members of the Belfast band on Wednesday, saying in this case that he showed “in some way or in this case his supporters were a flag that was identified as a hezbollah.”
The band said in a statement on X that the allegations represent “political policing” and seek to “prosecute artists who dare to speak out.” The three said O'Hanna showed a flag that had been thrown on the stage. They did not mention Hezbollah.
O'Hanna, 27, will appear in court on June 18.
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Kneecap, who raps about Irish identity and supports the Republican cause uniting with Northern Ireland in the Republican Republic, showed off his message about Pro-Palestinian at the annual music festival Coachella in California last month.
“Let's say it's clear: We haven't, never supported Hamas or Hezbollah,” they said on X last month. “We always condemn all attacks on civilians. It's forever. Given the history of our country, we know this more than anyone else.”
The three seemed to say “kill your local MP” in the 2023 show after apologizing to the families of two murdered British MPs in April.
Kneecap will play at Glastonbury Festival in England in June. Some lawmakers have called on festival organizers to cancel their appearance.
