Italian Street Artist Ozmo Acquitted: Court Rules His Work Is Not Vandalism

The Tribunal of Livorno has found street artist Ozmo (Gionata Gesi) not guilty of all accusations concerning his unauthorized mural, which he painted in the summer of 2022 on the Fonte di San Cerbone in Baratti, Piombino. This artwork, depicting two Etruscan coins featuring Medusa's face, was associated with the Tesoro di Populonia exhibition. The case sparked a public discourse, with support from the Piombino municipality and museum director Carolina Megale, while the Soprintendenza labeled it illegal. The piece was vandalized shortly after its completion and was removed in April 2023. On April 29, 2026, the court acknowledged the cultural significance of the artwork, dismissing the prosecution's attempt to classify it as vandalism. The fountain has faced further vandalism since then. In 2019, Ozmo also created public art on a courthouse in Rieti, Italy.