The former Ottawa City attorney who vandalized the National Holocaust Monument with red paint last summer will not face additional jail time. Justice Anne London-Weinstein handed down a suspended sentence to 46-year-old Iain Aspenlieder, who had admitted to defacing the memorial in June 2025 by painting “FEED ME” on it.
Crown prosecutors had requested a two-year sentence, while Aspenlieder’s defense counsel sought 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 as London-Weinstein deliberated on the sentence.
In her ruling, London-Weinstein stated that although she did not believe Aspenlieder acted out of hatred, his actions still caused harm. She sentenced him to five months, representing the time he had already spent in custody. Aspenlieder, maintaining a forward gaze with a slight downward tilt of his head, listened as the sentence was delivered.
London-Weinstein determined that Aspenlieder’s actions stemmed from his political beliefs and concern for the Palestinian cause. She noted that despite the harm caused, the act was inconsistent with his overall character based on the information presented.
Michael Spratt, Aspenlieder’s lawyer, praised the judge’s decision, describing it as thoughtful and compassionate, taking into consideration both the harm caused and Aspenlieder’s personal situation. Acting deputy Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee declined to comment on the outcome.
During the sentencing arguments in December, Aspenlieder acknowledged the hurt caused by his actions, attributing it to his attempt to draw attention to what he perceived as an ongoing genocide in Gaza. Testimonies from Jewish and other community groups highlighted the negative impact of the vandalism, specifically referencing a red handprint that evoked a distressing image from 2000.
London-Weinstein expressed belief that Aspenlieder had unknowingly left the handprint without understanding its significance. This case marked the first instance of sentencing for this particular Criminal Code offense.
In addition to the 152 days served, Aspenlieder will be on probation for two years, with restrictions on approaching Jewish or Israeli institutions and possessing firearms, along with a requirement to pay a victim surcharge.
Various groups closely monitoring the case expressed disappointment in the leniency of the sentence. They emphasized that the vandalism, although deemed non-hate-motivated by the judge, had a significant impact on the Jewish community. The light sentencing was critiqued for not reflecting the seriousness of Aspenlieder’s actions.
As International Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches on Jan. 27, the decision regarding Aspenlieder’s case continues to stir debate among advocacy organizations and community members.