A member of the Belfast-born rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence.
Liam O’Hanna is accused of displaying a flag in assist of the Lebanese Shia Islamist political celebration, Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation within the UK.
The incident is alleged to have occurred at a gig within the O2 in north London final November, the Metropolitan Police mentioned.
The 27-year-old- who performs below the stage identify Mo Chara – is because of seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on 18 June, the drive added.
The cost learn: ‘On November 21, 2024, in a public place, specifically the O2 Discussion board, Kentish City, London, displayed an article, specifically a flag, in such a means or in such circumstances as to arouse affordable suspicion that he’s a supporter of a proscribed organisation, specifically Hezbollah, opposite to part 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.’
It comes after counter terror police assessed a video reported to be from a Kneecap live performance.
The Met was solely made conscious of the video in April – greater than half a 12 months after the alleged offence.
Hezbollah was added to the UK checklist of terrorist organisations in 2019 after authorities mentioned they’re now not capable of distinguish between the group’s army and political wings.
Based in the course of the 15-year Civil Conflict in Lebanon – and translating to the ‘Social gathering of God’ – it opposes Israeli violence and Western powers working within the Center East, and is backed by Iran.
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