Statue of controversial journalist Montanelli defaced in Milan.

The statue of a famous Italian journalist who defended colonialism, Indro Montanelli, has been daubed with red paint and defaced with the words "racist, rapist" in Milan.

Anti-racism protesters claimed the attack and posted a video on Instagram.

They said the statue must be removed from the Milan park named after him.

Montanelli, who died in 2001, admitted having bought and married an Eritrean girl, 12, during army service in the 1930s.

It is reported to be the first such attack on a statue in Italy in the current anti-racism demonstrations in the US and Europe. Sparked by the death of George Floyd in US police custody, the protests have targeted statues seen as symbols of colonialism and slavery.

Activist group Retestudentimilano labeled

Montanelli "a colonialist who made slavery an important part of his political activity" and said he "cannot and should not be celebrated in the public square".

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, however, said the statue recognized Montanelli's indisputable journalistic contribution.

"He was a great journalist who fought for the freedom of the press," he said. "When we judge our own lives, can we say that ours is spotless? Lives must be judged in their complexity."

On Sunday municipal workers cleaned up the statue.