The search for a tourist who carved his name and that of his apparent girlfriend on the walls of the Colosseum in Rome has intensified, as Italy’s Culture and Tourism Ministers vow to find and punish the perpetrator. The incident, which was captured on video and went viral on social media, has sparked outrage among locals and tourists alike.
The video, filmed by fellow tourist Ryan Lutz from Orange City, California, shows the offender, identified as "Ivan," using a sharp object to carve the names "Ivan+Haley 23" into the ancient wall of the Colosseum. Lutz posted the video on YouTube and Reddit, attracting over 1,500 views and catching the attention of Italian media.
Lutz on June 27, expressed his disbelief at the audacity of the act. His video serves as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.
"I was dumbfounded that someone would deface such an important monument," he stressed.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano condemned the incident, describing the carving as "serious, undignified, and a sign of great incivility." Sangiuliano expressed hope that the culprits would be swiftly apprehended and punished in accordance with the law.
Italian news agency ANSA noted that this marks the fourth reported incident of graffiti at the Colosseum this year alone. The perpetrators of the previous cases faced fines of up to €13,000 and the possibility of up to five years in prison.
Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche echoed the sentiment of cultural respect, emphasizing the need to sanction the responsible tourist "so that he understands the gravity of the gesture."
"We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way," Santanche added.
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a nearly 2,000-year-old historic site and a symbol of Roman heritage. It attracts millions of tourists each year, making it imperative to protect and preserve its integrity.
Past incidents of vandalism at the Colosseum have been met with severe penalties. In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined €20,000 and received a four-year suspended jail sentence for engraving a large letter 'K' on one of the walls. The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after carving their names into the monument.
The Italian authorities, along with the support of the public, are determined to bring the latest offender to justice and send a strong message against such acts of disrespect towards Italy's cultural treasures.
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