Caspar San Giorgi, 39, was acquitted Monday at Southwark Crown Court after being accused of defacing the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with red spray paint in February. Prosecutors said the damage exceeded £7,000.

San Giorgi climbed onto the statue around 4 a.m. on Feb. 27 carrying a ladder and cans of spray paint. He covered the monument with messages including “Free Palestine,” “Stop the Genocide” and “Zionist War Criminal.” He also wore a red outfit bearing the words “I support Palestine Action,” according to reporting on the trial.

During the trial, San Giorgi acknowledged that he had defaced the statue but argued that he was sending a political message to Parliament and then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He also maintained that the paint was washable and therefore did not permanently damage the monument. The jury ultimately found him not guilty of criminal damage.

San Giorgi told the court that whether he was convicted, imprisoned or deported was not his primary concern, saying he was proud of having spoken about what he considered an injustice. He also argued that his actions were intended to prevent what he believed was a greater crime.

The Churchill statue has previously been targeted by protesters. The Crown Prosecution Service specifically identifies the Parliament Square monument as a protected memorial under British law, with offenses potentially applying to unauthorized climbing or damage.

The acquittal came despite condemnation from the British government. A representative for the Prime Minister's office previously called the vandalism “completely abhorrent” and described Churchill as “a great Briton,” saying the government believed the perpetrator should be held accountable.