Dutch Activist Acquitted of Criminal Damage After Spraying Churchill Statue with Pro-Palestine Graffiti

A Dutch activist known as Olax Outis (also Caspar San Giorgi), 39, was found not guilty of criminal damage at Southwark Crown Court on September 15, 2026, after climbing Winston Churchill's statue in Parliament Square and spraying it with slogans including 'Free Palestine,' 'Zionist war criminal,' 'Globalise the Intifada,' red triangles, and 'Never Again Is Now.' The February 27, 2026, incident caused cleaning and restoration costs estimated at over £7,000, including emergency work and police barriers. Outis argued the washable paint caused no lasting damage and framed the act as a protest 'sending a message to parliament' and 'preventing a crime,' a defense the jury accepted.

The case, corroborated across BBC News, The Jewish Chronicle, GB News, Sky News, and The Guardian, highlights ongoing debates over the legal boundaries of protest versus property damage. Outis, linked to Palestine Action networks, wore a red boiler suit reading 'I support Palestine Action' and referenced The Hague in court, claiming pride in his actions. Official reactions at the time called the vandalism 'completely abhorrent,' with Downing Street and the Greater London Authority expressing outrage. Critics, including commentator Heidi Bachram and GB News figures, described the acquittal as exposing inconsistencies in enforcement, particularly regarding symbols associated with Hamas and threats to public monuments.

This verdict connects to broader patterns: similar statue protests in recent years, calls from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy for new legislation protecting heritage sites, and scrutiny of how temporary markings factor into criminal damage thresholds under UK law. The red triangles and 'Globalise the Intifada' phrasing drew particular attention due to their documented use in certain activist contexts.