Man who carved names into Rome’s Colosseum writes apology letter and says he ‘did not understand it was outdated’

The vacationer who carved his title into the Colosseum has reportedly claimed in an apology letter that he did not understand it was so outdated.

The man carved “Ivan + Hayley 23” into the traditional monument utilizing a key and was traced to the UK after an outraged bystander filmed it and put it on-line.

Ivan Dimitrov – who was along with his girlfriend and is believed to stay in Bristol – may very well be fined 15,000 euros (£12,928) and even be jailed for as much as 5 years.

Anger over the incident has been widespread, with Italy‘s tradition minister calling it “offensive to everyone around the world”.

Dimitrov has now written an apology to Rome‘s public prosecutor and to town’s mayor, in accordance with Rome newspaper Il Messaggero, by which he gives “heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world”.

Despite the Colosseum being greater than 1,900 years outdated, he reportedly writes: “I admit with profound embarrassment that only after what regretfully happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.”

His lawyer instructed the newspaper it is hoped the letter will assist Dimitrov keep away from the harshest sentence.

The video exhibits the vacationer smiling on the digital camera after he carves the names, whereas somebody will be heard saying: “Serious, man? F***** up, man. Stupid a*******.”

It’s not the primary time a vacationer has defaced the Colosseum.

In 2015, two US vacationers had been accused of carving their initials into the amphitheatre – famously for as soon as internet hosting gladiatorial battles watched by hundreds.

The yr earlier than, a Russian vacationer was fined 20,000 euros (£17,000) for engraving the letter Okay into the monument.

Other stunts which have brought about fury lately embody a person stripping bare within the fountain at Rome’s Altare della Patria, one other damaging the Spanish Steps with a scooter, and folks crashing drones into monuments such because the Leaning Tower of Pisa.