Displaying items by tag: incitement

Counter-terrorist police are investigating videos of Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, recorded at gigs in 2023 and 2024. The videos appear to show band members encouraging violence against British MPs and expressing support for proscribed terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has denied inciting violence, saying the clips were taken out of context, and offered apologies to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox. The controversy, which follows backlash from the band’s Gaza-related statements at a concert in the USA, has led to sponsorship and booking losses. Major artists have signed a statement supporting Kneecap, opposing what they call political censorship and suppression of artistic freedom. Kneecap, known for provocative lyrics and nationalist themes, rose to prominence in Ireland and were the subject of a Bafta-winning film featuring Michael Fassbender.

Ehsan Hussain, a 25-year-old from Birmingham, has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison for inciting racial hatred during the UK riots. Posing as a far-right extremist, he used a Telegram chat group with over 12,000 members to incite violence against Muslims in Birmingham. His messages called for disorder in areas with large Muslim populations, such as Alum Rock and Bordesley Green. The court heard that his posts, filled with racist language, contributed to escalating tensions that led to violent unrest in Birmingham, including attacks on an Islamic centre, hospitals, and public transport. Hussain admitted to distributing threatening and abusive material intended to stir racial hatred. West Midlands Police praised the public for helping to identify Hussain’s posts, emphasising that such incitement would not be tolerated.