Gennaro Sangiulianoi Italian cultural minister, is asking for help to identify an unknown man. In a video, the man is seen vandalizing the 7th wonder of the world, the Colosseum of Rome. The man was allegedly carving his fiancè’s name into the landmark. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche wants the man “identified and sanctioned.”
The entire thing was captured on video by Ryan Lutz, an American tourist from Orange County. “As you see in the video, I kind of approach him and ask him, dumbfounded at this point, ‘Are you serious? Are you really serious?’” Lutz said. “And all he could do is like smile at me.” He not only filmed the incident, but also brought it to the attention of the local security authorities. Who, disappointingly enough, didn’t care. It wasn’t until Lutz posted the video to Reddit and YouTube that it went viral, catching international attention.
“I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world,” Sangiuliano said in a tweet. “A historical heritage (site) such as the Colosseum, to carve the name of his fiancée.”
According to Italian news agency ANSA, the defacement reads “Ivan+Haley 23.” This is the fourth time the 2,000 year old monument has been defaced this year.
So, if you know anyone named Ivan or Haley that have just gone on a trip to Rome, you might wanna check and make sure it wasn’t them. If the man gets charges brought on him he could face a fine of at least €15,000 ($16,360) or up to five years in prison.
