'A carnival of distraction'

Rappers hit back at 'political' charge aimed at 'silencing' them

- BY LAUREN HARTE and LOUISE BURNE

RAP trio Kneecap have said the charging of one of their members with a terror offence in the UK was “political” and intended to “silence” them.

It comes after Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged over the alleged displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, on November 21 last year.

The 27-year-old from Belfast was charged by postal requisition and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday.

In a statement yesterday morning on X, the group said: “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.