COPS have turned up at Kneecap’s surprise gig in London just hours after rapper Liam O’Hanna, 27, was charged with a terror offence.
were seen entering the 100 Club on Oxford Street, central , where rap trio Kneecap had announced a surprise gig for Thursday night.
At least three officers were seen walking into the venue at around 7.35pm.
A short queue formed outside the venue before the doors opened, including one man in a band T-shirt.
The band said on X that the event sold out in 90 seconds, with 2,000 people on the waiting list.
It comes after rapper Liam O’Hanna, 27 — a member of Kneecap — was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag.
The incident unfolded on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum, in Kentish Town,.
Officers from theCounter Terrorism Command launched an urgent probe after being made aware on April 22.
An investigation was carried out after reviewing video footage from the event.
O’Hanna, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was later charged with an offence relating to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Hezbollah is a proscribed terror organisation, and it is a criminal offence to “invite support”;; for the group.
The rapper is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’on June 18.
Earlier this month, the Metsaid it was investigating online videosallegedly showing the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”;;.
Kneecap said previously they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual.
They argue the video has been taken out of context.
A number of gigs featuring the band have been called off.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “A man has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
“Liam O’Hanna, 27, of Belfast has been charged, via postal requisition, with displaying a flag in support of, a proscribed organisation.
“On 21 November 2024, in a public place, namely the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, displayed an article, namely a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezballah, contrary to section 13(1)(b) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
“Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, 22 April of an online video from the event.
“An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the above charge.
“O’Hanna is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 June.”;;
