Now, he is more likely to be in shock himself.
The customer who this week allegedly scratched “Ivan+Hayley 23” on a brick wall of one of many world’s most treasured buildings, has been recognized as a person from the UK, in line with Italy’s tradition minister.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano tweeted Thursday that the Carabinieri, a navy police pressure, had “identified the person presumed to be responsible for the uncivilised and absurd act committed at the Colosseum.”
“An act that offended everyone across the globe who appreciate the value of archaeology, of monuments and of history,” he added.
His tweet confirmed that “Ivan and Hayley” are considered the names of the vacationer and his girlfriend, who was filmed watching on as he carved their names.
In a second tweet, Sangiuliano urged that the case will go to trial.
“I hope that justice will take its course, applying the law rigorously,” he wrote.
“If it comes to trial, the Ministry of Culture will appear as a plaintiff.”
If convicted of a criminal offense, the person might face a fantastic of no less than 15,000 euros ($24,602) or as much as 5 years in jail, in line with Italian news company Ansa.
The Piazza Venezia department of the Carabinieri launched a press release to CNN confirming that the suspect had been traced, and the couple are believed to be from the UK.
Police “identified the main suspect through traditional investigations and photographic comparison,” they wrote.
“The carabinieri have confirmed that it is a couple, a man and a woman, resident in England.
“It ought to be famous that proceedings are on the preliminary investigation stage so the suspect have to be thought of harmless till any ultimate [court] ruling.”
Sangiuliano added in a statement that a government bill that would “make those that outrage our heritage reply for it personally” is currently passing through parliament.
The bill would hold vandals responsible “together with by way of belongings,” he said.
“People who trigger injury should pay.”
Tourists vandalising the Colosseum is sadly nothing new. In 2020, an Irish tourist was reported to the police for allegedly carving his initials into a wall.
Last August, an American couple were caught carving their initials into the Arch of Augustus, a 2000-year-old monument beside the Colosseum.
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Source: www.9news.com.au
