Dutch Activist Faces Court for Graffiti on Churchill Statue Calling Him a ‘Zionist War Criminal’

A pro-Palestinian activist, Casbar San Giorgi, aged 39, was accused of vandalizing a statue of Sir Winston Churchill by spray-painting the words ‘Zionist war criminal’ in red. The incident occurred during the early hours of February 27.

In a striking act, San Giorgi allegedly climbed the 20-foot statue while dressed in a black overcoat over a red boiler suit marked with the phrase ‘I support Palestine Action’. He reportedly inscribed messages such as ‘Free Palestine’, ‘Globalise the intifada’, and ‘Stop the genocide’ on both the statue and its base located in Parliament Square, Westminster.

A heritage warden, responsible for maintaining the statue, spotted San Giorgi during his rounds. The accused, who is said to have no permanent residence in Britain and is also known by the name Olax Outis, now faces a count of criminal damage at Southwark Crown Court.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Peter Ratliff emphasized that the trial focuses on the evidence of the vandalism and not on the defendant’s political beliefs regarding Palestine or Israel.

Ratliff stated, “The defendant’s concern for the events in Gaza cannot serve as a legal defense.” He elaborated on the situation, explaining that San Giorgi arrived armed with spray paint and a ladder, which he used to climb the plinth, beginning his act of defacement.

Upon being confronted by the heritage warden, San Giorgi reportedly claimed he was conducting a protest and suggested the warden contact law enforcement. Police arrived shortly thereafter at 4:10 a.m., arrested San Giorgi on suspicion of criminal damage, and initiated specialized repairs that took two days to complete, involving elevated platforms and police barriers.

San Giorgi has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial, under the oversight of Recorder Mukul Chawla KC, is set to continue.