A 17-year-old Swiss tourist was reported this Friday (14) after being filmed while carving the initial of her name into a wall of the Colosseum in Rome, one of Italy's main tourist attractions. The act of vandalism generated outrage and indignation in the country, reigniting the discussion about the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.
This incident occurs just a few weeks after another similar case involving a young tourist of Bulgarian origin resident in England. He engraved her name and that of his girlfriend, “Ivan+Haley 23”, at Flavian Amphitheater, also known as the Colosseum of Rome, causing irreparable damage to this historical monument.
Italian authorities are treating these acts of vandalism seriously. Both the Bulgarian tourist and the Swiss tourist may face sentences of two to five years in prison, in addition to a fine of at least 15 thousand euros, for defacement and deterioration of cultural property.
The incident at the Colosseum was recorded by an Italian tourist guide, who immediately called the archaeological park's surveillance. Local carabinieri were called in to investigate the case and take the necessary legal action.
The Swiss tourist, whose name was not released, is on vacation with her family in the Italian capital. She was taken to the headquarters of the Piazza Venezia, where she was formally denounced. In addition to the charge of defacing cultural heritage, she will also be charged with the crime of violating urban police regulations, which prohibit defamation, drawings, recordings or any action that compromises the city's artistic, historical and monumental heritage. (Photo: Depositphotos)
