Kneecap has accused police in London of trying to ‘distract from war crimes that the British State support’ ahead of Liam Óg hAnnaidh’s trial.
Today, the Belfast rapper, commonly known as Mo Chara, is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with a terror offence - which he denies.
Yesterday, the Metropolitan Police imposed Public Order Act conditions in the vicinity of the court in order to “prevent serious disruption” by supporters of the band.
It means the police have set up designated zones near the court, which supporters of the band cannot leave while protesting in support of Mr Ó hAnnaidh.
Kneecap supporters in Westminster. Image: Newstalk.In response, Kneecap hit out at what they described as a “farce”.
“It is a distraction from war crimes that the British State support,” the band wrote.
“In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as somehow troublesome.
“It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara's court appearance.
“There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media.”
The band also described the charge against Mr Ó hAnnaidh as part of "the British Government's carnival of distraction" from the continued sale of British arms to Israel.
Tomorrow Mo Chara is back in Westminster Magistrates Court as the British government's carnival of distraction continues.
Since his last court appearance Israel has murdered another 9,000 Palestinians, mainly children and women.
Over 1,000 murdered whilst queuing for aid,… pic.twitter.com/ZM6uYyUE3M
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 19, 2025
On Newstalk Breakfast, reporter Emily Keegan described the rally in support of Mr Ó hAnnaidh as “pretty colourful” with a large crowd in place early this morning.
“I arrived here bang on eight o’clock and the crowd has been growing minute by minute, it’s already pretty busy here,” she said.
“There’s a large media presence; they’re currently building a stage right on the side of the road where there’s going to be performances.
“There’s going to be speeches from activists, there are politicians flying over from the North who are going to be speaking.
“There’s flags waving [with the slogans] ‘Free speech’, ‘Free Palestine’.”
Kneecap supporters in Westminster. Image: Newstalk.Mr Ó hAnnaidh first appeared in court on 18th June and was granted bail by the magistrate.
He is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, at a London gig in 2024.
View this post on Instagram
“The defence have told the court that they will argue that the charge that was brought against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was brought against him outside the six month limit which would allow for it to be dealt with in this court,” Ms Keegan explained.
“The alleged incident happened on 21st November last year and he was charged on 22nd May this year.
“Today, the court will have to make the decision whether or not they will proceed with this.
“Or whether or not it’s going to lean into the defence’s argument that it’s outside the six months [limit].”
Kneecap has vowed to “fight” the charge and predicted, “We will win”.
Main image: Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. Picture by: AP Photo/Kin Cheung.
