Activists may escape prosecution over Mona Lisa soup attack

PARIS: Two protesters who were arrested after hurling soup at Leonardo da Vinci´s Mona Lisa painting in Paris may escape prosecution and instead be ordered to make a donation, prosecutors said on Monday.

The two women on Sunday flung pumpkin soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting da Vinci´s most famous painting at the Louvre art museum, demanding the right to “healthy and sustainable food.”

A group called Riposte Alimentaire (“Food counterattack”) claimed responsibility for the stunt.

The two activists were arrested and temporarily placed in police custody.

The public prosecutor´s office said that the activists were accused of illegally entering the secure area around the painting, an offence carrying a maximum fine of 1,500 euros ($1,620).

The two activists were to be brought before prosecutors on Monday afternoon with a view to making a “citizen´s contribution” rather than facing a trial, the public prosecutor´s office said. Under the French system, making such a donation to a victim´s association is an alternative to prosecution. The amount is determined by prosecutors up to a maximum of 3,000 euros.