A student who vandalized a monument of Pope John Paul II in Łódź receives a suspended prison sentence. The defendant denies any intent to insult and plans to appeal the verdict.
A student has been sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for one year, by the District Court in Łódź after vandalizing a statue of Pope John Paul II in April 2023. The perpetrator painted the monument’s hands red and its face yellow, and added the phrase “Maxima culpa,” referencing a book by Ekke Overbeek that criticizes the Pope’s actions. The judge emphasized the symbolic timing of the act, which coincided with Easter and the anniversary of John Paul II’s death, interpreting the defacement as an act of disrespect.
Defense Argues No Intent to Insult
The defendant’s lawyer, Piotr Paduszyński, disagreed with the court’s ruling, arguing that his client had no intent to offend. While the student admitted to the act of vandalism, he denied the charges of insulting the monument or offending religious sentiments. The defense has already announced plans to appeal the court’s decision, challenging both the verdict and the reasoning behind it.