A former City of Ottawa attorney who vandalized the National Holocaust Monument with red paint last summer will not face further incarceration. Justice Anne London-Weinstein handed down a suspended sentence to 46-year-old Iain Aspenlieder, who had admitted to defacing the memorial with the words “FEED ME” in June 2025.
Prosecutors had pushed for a two-year jail term, while Aspenlieder’s defense counsel sought a suspended sentence considering his time served in jail and under strict bail conditions. In an unconventional move, Aspenlieder voluntarily returned to custody in December while awaiting the sentencing decision.
London-Weinstein, in her ruling on Wednesday, released Aspenlieder, stating that his actions were not motivated by hate but still caused harm. She imposed a five-month sentence for time already spent in jail. Aspenlieder, appearing composed, received the sentence with his gaze fixed ahead.
The judge concluded that Aspenlieder’s actions stemmed from his political beliefs and concern for the Palestinian situation. Despite acknowledging the harm caused, London-Weinstein found Aspenlieder’s offense inconsistent with his overall character.
Michael Spratt, Aspenlieder’s lawyer, praised the judge’s thoughtful and compassionate decision, which took into consideration both the damage caused and Aspenlieder’s personal circumstances. Acting deputy Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee declined to comment on the outcome.
During the sentencing hearing in December, Aspenlieder acknowledged the hurt caused by his actions, attributing it to his attempt to raise awareness about what he termed the ongoing Gaza genocide by Israel. Testimonies from Jewish and other community groups highlighted the negative impact of the vandalism.
Aspenlieder, in addition to the 152 days served, will be on probation for two years. He is barred from approaching Jewish or Israeli establishments, possessing firearms, and must pay a victim surcharge. Various groups monitoring the case expressed disappointment at the lenient sentence, emphasizing the gravity of Aspenlieder’s offense.
With the sentencing coming just before International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, it remains a contentious issue for affected parties, who view the vandalism as a deliberate attack on a sacred Jewish site rather than a political statement.