The accused appeared outside the court in black sunglasses and with the Palestinian scarf keffiyeh, while people in the crowd shouted "Free Palestine". In court, he only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
He is being prosecuted for terrorist crimes after showing a Hizbollah flag at a concert in London in November last year. Before the prosecution, the group said on social media that they deny the crime and will strongly defend themselves.
"British courts have long prosecuted people from Northern Ireland for 'terrorism' for crimes that were never committed", they wrote on social media and called the prosecution a witch hunt, to silence the group.
Kneecap is accused of supporting both the Palestinian Hamas and the Lebanese Hizbollah, which they themselves deny doing.
According to the defense, the video that forms the basis for the prosecution was not reported within the six-month limit required for prosecution. A court hearing will be held on August 20, when the judge will decide whether the prosecution was brought too late. The artist was released today on bail.
The band is booked for a performance at the Göteborg festival Way Out West this summer.
