There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful

Kneecap have hit out the Metropolitan Police after Public Order Act conditions were issued for rapper Mo Chara’s upcoming court appearance.

• READ MORE: Kneecap on the cover – giving peace, protest and partying a chance

Mo Chara is scheduled to appear at the Westminster Magistrates Court later today (August 20) at 9am over terrorism charges lobbied against him. It will be his second appearance at the Westminster Magistrates Court, following an appearance in June.

The June appearance saw Mo Chara – real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – being released on unconditional bail after being charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag onstage at a show last November. The group have been vocal supporters of Palestine in the Israel-Gaza conflict and sparked controversy for their defiant pro-Palestinian remarks at Coachella in April.

Throngs of supporters for both Kneecap and Palestine appeared at the courts in June, and have prompted the Metropolitan Police to issue Public Order Act conditions for today’s court date. Per the Metropolitan Police, the conditions are being enacted to “prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest” outside the court.

Kneecap have since responded to the conditions, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “It is a distraction from war crimes that the British State support. In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome.”

The Irish rap trio continued: “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. We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful. Free Palestine.”

We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is.

It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support.

In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as… https://t.co/KoMAtkydqG

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 19, 2025

Prior to the Metropolitan Police issuing the Public Order Act conditions, Kneecap shared a statement highlighting some alleged statistics of the “evil” acts carried out by Israel since Mo Chara’s last court appearance in June.

“Since his last court appearance Israel has murdered another 9,000 Palestinians, mainly children and women. Over 1,000 murdered whilst queuing for aid, starved due to their siege, whilst pitiful amounts of aid delivered by a sham agency controlled by Israel. Young children gunned down by snipers as they scramble for a bag of flour. Whole families, from babies to grandparents, murdered as they huddled in makeshift tents,” Kneecap wrote.

See the full post below.

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

At Mo Chara’s first appearance in June, Paul Weller was spotted among the supporters. The solo icon and former Jam frontman had previously signed an open letter by Love Music Hate Racism, which rallied “against the attempts to silence [Kneecap] for speaking out for Gaza”. Weller attended the group’s show in London last November, as did Noel Gallagher. Elsewhere, Kneecap appeared on the bill alongside Weller at a Gig For Gaza charity concert in late 2024.

Fans were heard singing Irish folk songs and holding signs that read ‘Free Palestine, ‘Free Mo Chara’, and ‘Defend Kneecap: Drop The Charges’. Some waved Palestinian flags too, cars on the main road beeped in support, and there was also a platform where activists could give political speeches.

Today’s court proceedings will see Nadine Shah, Gurriers and Maverick Sabre among the many artists and speakers appear in support of Kneecap.

Huge thanks to all organisations, artists and individuals who’ve organised solidarity events. 💚🤍🧡 pic.twitter.com/vO4sMJpVRO

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 19, 2025

Responding to the terror charge in May, the group denied the offence and vowed to “vehemently defend ourselves”. “This is political policing,” they wrote. “This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.”

Kneecap have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said that they do not incite or condone violence. They have also argued that the footage at the UK shows had been taken out of context, and described the legal action as a “carnival of distraction”.

Shortly after Mo Chara’s June appearance, Kneecap were set to play a highly anticipated set at Glastonbury 2025. Ahead of the gig, Mo Chara addressed the Hezbollah flag incident directly. “It’s a joke. I’m a character,” he said. “Shit is thrown on stage all the time. If I’m supposed to know every fucking thing that’s thrown on stage, I’d be in Mensa, Jesus Christ.”

“I don’t know every proscribed organisation – I’ve got enough shit to worry about up there. I’m thinking about my next lyric, my next joke, the next drop of a beat,” he added.

Kneecap were also investigated for making contentious remarks about members of parliament on stage. Asked about whether he regrets the comments about MPs, he said: “Why should I regret it? It was a joke – we’re playing characters, it’s satirical, it’s a fucking joke. And that’s not the point. The point is, that wasn’t an issue until we said ‘Free Palestine’ at Coachella. That stuff happened 18 months ago, and nobody batted an eyelid.”

The authorities have since confirmed that the group will not be prosecuted for the remarks.

You can view the original article HERE.