A tourist who painted graffiti on the wall of Rome’s Colosseum is being actively sought by the Italian Carabinieri for the ‘unacceptable’ gesture.
• Read more: Italy: Two new skeletons unearthed at Pompeii
• Read more: Italy: Painting with “pizza” found in Pompeii
• Read more: The underground corridors of the Colosseum in Rome are open to tourists after 2000 years
The unidentified teenager found the stone with a key, which read “Evan + Haley 23” inscribed on it.
Screenshot | Reuters
The person filming him asks him not to do this, but the carefree young man continues his graffiti along with his girlfriend.
His gesture was made on June 23, Reuters reported.
Screenshot | Reuters
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano on Monday called for exemplary punishment for the man.
The gesture was “too serious and undeserved. And a sign of great incivility,” the minister said in a press release. “I hope whoever did this will be identified and punished according to our laws,” he added.
Screenshot | Reuters
The man faces a minimum fine of $16,400 and up to five years in prison, according to the ANSA news agency.
Built over 2,000 years ago, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire and hosted gladiator fights, executions and animal hunts.
Today it is the most popular tourist destination in Italy.
This is not the first time the Colosseum has been vandalized. In recent years many visitors have left inscriptions or tried to steal pieces of stone from the monument.
More Stories
More than 70% of journalists cover the environment affected by threats
Trump's criminal investigation: A new stance on his freedom of expression
Death toll in China highway collapse rises to 48