May 1st, 2025 – London
Charged with inciting violence against elected representatives and expressing support for Hamas
- Last update: 18:48 - First published
Accused of inciting violence against elected representatives and expressing support for Hamas, Liam O’Hanna (Liam Og O Hannaidh in gaelic), stage name Mo Chara from the fNorthern Irish rap trio Kneecap is under investigation by the British anti-terrorist police on May 1st.
2 videos filmed during concerts are at the root of the proceedings. In 2023, in London, he can be heard chanting “Rise and shine Hamas, rise and shine Hezbollah”, 2 organizations considered terrorist by the UK. In another video, dated November, he is quoted as saying: “The only good Tory politician is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP“. In April, in the USA, Kneecap had projected messages on stage denouncing US support for Israel and evoking genocide in Palestine.
Several American celebrities called for their work visas to be revoked. The leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, called for Kneecap to be excluded from the Glastonbury festival, one of Europe’s biggest music events, where the rappers were scheduled to perform in June. Since then, several concerts have been deprogrammed in the UK and 3 concert dates in September have been cancelled in Germany.
He appeared in court in London on June 18 charged with a “terrorist offence”. Greeted by cheers and applause, Mo Chara had to wade through a packed crowd waving Irish and Palestinian flags and “Free Palestine!” placards. His Belfast-based group raps in both English and Irish, and loudly proclaims its commitment to the Palestinian cause.
The rapper’s lawyers claimed that his indictment had taken place outside the legal timeframe. Mo Chara, who was accompanied by the other members of the trio, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, walked free. The next hearing is scheduled for August 20.
Physical violence
| Kicks, punches, slaps | |
| Feet / knees on the nape of the neck, chest or face | |
| Blows to the victim while under control and/or on the ground | |
| Blows to the ears | |
| Strangulation / chokehold | |
| Painful armlock | |
| Fingers forced backwards | |
| Spraying with water | |
| Dog bites | |
| Hair pulling | |
| Tirage par les cheveux | |
| Painful tightening of colson ties or handcuffs | |
| Painfully pulling by colson ties or handcuffs | |
| Use of gloves | |
| Use of firearm | |
| Use of “Bean bags” (a coton sack containing tiny lead bullets) | |
| Use of FlashBall weapon | |
| Use of sound grenade | |
| Use of dispersal grenade | |
| Use of teargas grenade | |
| Use of rubber bullets weapon (LBD40 type) | |
| Use of batons | |
| Use of Pepper Spray | |
| Use of Taser gun |
Psychological violence
| Charge of disturbing public order | |
| Charge of rebellion | |
| Accusation of beatings to officer | |
| Charge of threatening officer | |
| Charge of insulting an officer | |
| Threat with a weapon | |
| Aggressive behaviour, disrespect, insults | |
| Calls to end torment remained unheeded | |
| Sexist remarks | |
| Homophobic remarks | |
| Racist comments | |
| Violence by fellow police officers | |
| Passivity of police colleagues | |
| Lack or refusal of the police officer to identify him or herself | |
| Vexing or intimidating identity check | |
| Intimidation or arrest of witnesses | |
| Prevented from taking photographs or from filming the scene | |
| Refusal to notify someone or to telephone | |
| Refusal to administer a breathalyzer | |
| Refusal to fasten the seatbelt during transport | |
| Refusal to file a complaint | |
| Refusal to allow medical care or medication | |
| Lies, cover-ups, disappearance of evidence | |
| Undress before witnesses of the opposite sex | |
| Bend down naked in front of witnesses | |
| Lack of surveillance or monitoring during detention | |
| Lack of signature in the Personal Effects Register during detention | |
| Confiscation, deterioration, destruction of personal effects | |
| Pressure to sign documents | |
| Absence of a report | |
| Deprivation during detention (water, food) | |
| Inappropriate sanitary conditions during detention (temperature, hygiene, light) | |
| Complacency of doctors | |
| Kettling (corraling protestors to isolate them from the rest of the demonstration) | |
| Prolonged uncomfortable position |
- 20.08.2025 – Audience
- 18.06.2025 – London Court audience
- 21.05.2025 – Indictment with “terrorist offence”
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