A former City of Ottawa attorney who vandalized the National Holocaust Monument with red paint last summer will not face additional prison time. Justice Anne London-Weinstein rendered her verdict on Wednesday in the case involving 46-year-old Iain Aspenlieder, issuing a suspended sentence. Aspenlieder had previously admitted guilt in July for defacing the monument in June 2025 by inscribing “FEED ME” on it.
While the Crown had pushed for a two-year term, Aspenlieder’s defense counsel advocated for a suspended sentence considering his time served in jail and under strict bail conditions. In an unusual move, Aspenlieder voluntarily returned to custody in December while awaiting London-Weinstein’s sentencing decision.
London-Weinstein, in her ruling to release Aspenlieder, stated that although she did not believe his actions stemmed from hatred, they still caused harm. She imposed a five-month sentence to account for time already spent in custody. Aspenlieder, maintaining a composed demeanor, was described as looking ahead during the sentencing.
The judge concluded that Aspenlieder’s actions were driven by his political beliefs and concern for the Palestinian cause. She noted that despite the harm caused, his offense did not align with his overall character.
Michael Spratt, Aspenlieder’s legal representative, commended London-Weinstein’s thoughtful and compassionate decision, considering both the harm caused and Aspenlieder’s personal context. Acting deputy Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee declined to comment on the outcome.
During the sentencing arguments, Aspenlieder acknowledged the hurt caused by his actions, attributing it to his aim to bring attention to what he labeled as the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israel. Various Jewish and community groups testified about the negative repercussions of the vandalism, with particular distress over a red handprint left at the scene.
London-Weinstein indicated that Aspenlieder likely unknowingly left the print, unaware of its significance. This sentencing marked the first instance of a penalty for the specific Criminal Code offense. In addition to serving 152 days, Aspenlieder will be on probation for two years and is prohibited from proximity to Jewish or Israeli institutions and firearms possession, along with a victim surcharge.
Groups monitoring the case expressed disappointment at the lenient sentence, emphasizing the severity of Aspenlieder’s actions. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center criticized the minimal jail time for what they termed an “abhorrent act,” while the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs asserted that the sentence did not reflect the gravity of the offense.
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa raised concerns about the political interpretation of Aspenlieder’s vandalism rather than recognizing it as an intentional attack on a sacred Jewish site. The decision coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27.