HI INDIA NEWS DESK
WASHINGTON , DC – Zaid Mohammed Mahdawi, 26, of Richmond, Virginia, was arrested on charges of destroying federal property after allegedly spray-painting a monument at Columbus Circle in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2024. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani, and U.S. Park Police Chief Jessica Taylor. Mahdawi is set to appear in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Authorities allege that Mahdawi participated in a protest at Columbus Circle, during which demonstrators defaced statues, burned flags, and obstructed law enforcement. Mahdawi is accused of climbing a monument and spray-painting “HAMAS IS COMIN” along with an inverted red triangle. Video evidence from U.S. Park Police and online sources helped identify him.
The FBI emphasized that its investigations focus on illegal activities, not First Amendment rights. U.S. Attorney Graves condemned politically motivated destruction of federal property, asserting that it is a criminal act.
The damage to federal property, including flags and monuments, is estimated at $11,282.23. Mahdawi had previously been arrested twice in Richmond, Virginia, in 2023 and 2024. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Park Police and FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Martin leading the prosecution. Mahdawi remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
