Last month, a man was caught on video carving his and his girlfriend’s initials into — wait for it — the wall of the Colosseum with his keys. 31-year-old Ivan Danailov Dimitrov decided that this 2,000 year-old monument to human history would be the perfect place to etch his love for all time. Dimitrov is facing extreme punishment for his vandalism, further exacerbated by his devil-may-care attitude about it. Something Italy has become increasingly upset about concerning tourists and their actions. Dimitrov is hoping for a plea deal that will avoid jail, but should he get it? We’re not so sure.
On July 4th, Dimitrov sent a letter to the prosecutor’s office and the mayor of Rome. Which seems to have only made his situation worse. In the letter, Dimitrov says he was unaware of just how old the Colosseum was. As though it would have been more okay if it had been a recently built structure. Dimitrov gave his “heartfelt and sincere apologies to Italians and the entire world for the damage done to a monument, which is, in fact, heritage of all humanity.”
He Didn’t Know? Bullshit!
To be completely unaware of the age of the Colosseum is hard to believe, honestly. Even those who know little-to-no history are aware that the Roman Colosseum is very old. The majority of Italy doesn’t seem to be buying it. Alexandro Maria Tirelli, Dimitrov’s lawyer, says this is a problem with tourists. ““It should be said that when foreign tourists come to Italy, from anywhere, not any particular nationality, there’s this idea that they’ve come to a country where everything is allowed, where they turn a blind eye, where it’s that’s how it goes.”
Dimitrov faces up to five years in jail and a fine of €15,000 ($16,300 USD). Should a plea deal be refused, that is. Apparently Dimitrov’s letter stated he thought “he had pulled what he thought was a harmless stunt.” But it seems to only solidify his blatant disrespect. We’re pretty sure Dimitrov wouldn’t have felt even the slightest guilt for his actions had he not been caught. To disrespect the sanctity of historical monuments deserves a harsh punishment. Turns out there are big consequences for reckless actions.
