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Rallies planned in London, Dublin before pro-Palestinian rapper’s trial
Supporters of Irish rap group Kneecap are to protest in London and Dublin as one of its members faces trial for allegedly supporting a proscribed organisation.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a gig last November. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police said it has imposed conditions on where protests can take place outside the court, citing the need to “prevent serious disruption”.
At a pre-trial hearing in June, demonstrators outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine”.
In a statement, the Irish rap trio called the police restrictions a “calculated political decision” aimed at portraying support for the group as “somehow troublesome”. The group urged supporters “to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful”.
Kneecap has claimed the charge against Mo Chara is politically motivated, saying it is an attempt to silence the group because of its vocal support for Palestine.
Pro-Palestinian Irish rapper faces wait as UK court weighs ‘terror’ charge dismissal
A member of Irish rap trio Kneecap faces a month-long wait to find out whether a “terrorism’ charge against him will be thrown out.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, known on stage as Mo Chara, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London today for a three-hour hearing, where his lawyers argued the case should be dismissed on procedural grounds.
Kneecap have called the charge “politically motivated”, saying it is an attempt to silence the group because of its outspoken support for Palestine. Outside the courthouse, hundreds of supporters greeted O hAnnaidh with Irish and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Mo Chara”.
Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, during a concert at the O2 Forum in north London last November.
Defence barrister Brenda Campbell KC told the court that police informed O hAnnaidh of the charge on May 21 without permission from the Attorney General, which she said was required within a six-month window.
Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove countered that such approval was only necessary by the time of the first court appearance. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring adjourned the case until September 26.
