Irish 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.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna over the displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, on 21 November last year.
London's Metropolitan Police said the 27-year-old was charged following an investigation by its counter terrorism command.
In a statement on X, the group denied the offence and said they will "vehemently" defend themselves.
They said the charge amounted to "political policing" and a "carnival of distraction" from the situation in Gaza.
The group said an "anti-terror law" is being used against them for "displaying a flag thrown on stage".
"To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out.
"Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries," they said in a statement.
The group said they would fight the charge in court.
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