Bristol-based health teacher Ivan Dimitrov, 27, wrote a letter of apology to the Rome mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, after he was caught-out on movie carving the initials of himself and his girlfriend into the traditional construction.
He was since traced again to the UK by Italian officers, who threatened authorized motion and even a jail time period.
“Through these lines I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,” Dimitrov mentioned, per Italy’s Il Messaggero.
“It is with deep embarrassment that only after what regrettably happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.”
The apology comes after footage of the alleged vandalism surfaced final week.
Dimitrov may be seen allegedly scratching “Ivan+Hayley 23” on a brick wall of one of many world’s most treasured buildings, situated within the Italian capital of Rome.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano tweeted on Thursday that the Carabinieri, a army 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.
Sangiuliano urged that the case will go to trial.
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“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, Dimitrov may face a nice of a minimum of 15,000 euros ($24,000) or as much as 5 years in jail, in accordance with Italian reviews.
Source: www.9news.com.au
