A member of Irish rap group Kneecap appeared in a London court on Wednesday charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as hundreds of people gathered outside in support.

Fans of the Irish-language hip-hop group Kneecap have mobbed sidewalks outside a London court as a member of the trio faced a terror-related charge in what he says is a politically motivated effort to silence the band’s support for Palestinians before its appearance at the Glastonbury Festival.

Kneecap, which recently grabbed headlines for statements denouncing the war on Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge.