Great Britain: call to murder? Terror investigation against Northern Irish rapper

Due to alleged calls to the murder of MPs and glorification of Hamas and Hezbollah, the British anti-terrorist police are investigating the Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap. This was announced by a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police at a press conference according to the British news agency PA.

The background is statements that are said to have been in London at concerts in November last year. Videos are circulating on the Internet. It can be heard on how it is said on the stage about conservative parliamentary members: “Only a dead tory is a good tory” and “kill your MP”. Another video is supposed to be heard: “Long live Hamas, it live Hisbollah.”

Concerts canceled in Germany

Several appearances by the group had been canceled after the allegations became known. According to the ticket website Eventim, concerts announced for September are eliminated in Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg. Opposition chief Kemi Badenoch from the conservative party called for a ban from the group, others demanded that their planned appearance should be canceled at the legendary music festival Glastonbury.

In a statement a few days ago, the rappers rejected the allegations. In no way was called violence. Nevertheless, they apologized to the families of Jo Cox and David Amess. The two MPs had been murdered in recent years. The rappers distanced themselves from Hamas and the Hisbollah, which are classified by the EU as terrorist organizations. Otherwise they were largely unreasonable. According to their representation, the controversial statements should serve as an excuse in order to silence legitimate criticism of the Gaza war.

Solidarity of other musicians

Several other artists solidarized with Kneecap, including the groups Pulp, Primal Scream as well as singer and songwriter Paul Weller and dozens of others. In a democracy, politicians or parties should not determine who will perform at festivals and concerts.

The band “Massive Attack” condemned the murders of Cox and amess and warned, “of course the language plays a role”. At the same time, they accused politicians and journalists hypocrisy who “strategically conjure up moral outrage over the statements of a young punk band on stage while they cover up or even ignore or even ignore.”