The UK-based tourist who triggered widespread outrage for carving his name into Rome’s Colosseum has claimed he was not aware of the monument’s age.
Fitness instructor Ivan Dimitrov, 27, was caught by a fuming sightseer engraving ‘Ivan + Hayley 23’ into the 2,000-year-old structure last month.
The Bristol resident could now face a fine of up to $15,000 and five years in prison.
In an apology letter published in Rome’s Il Messaggero newspaper, addressed to the prosecutor’s office and Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, Mr Dimitrov said he was not aware of the ancient monument’s age or the ‘seriousness of the deed committed’.
‘Through these lines, I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,’ he wrote.
‘It is with deep embarrassment that only after what regrettably happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.’
Italy’s Carabinieri tracked Mr Dimitrov and his girlfriend down in Bulgaria five days after the incident sparked international outrage.
Italian police officer Major Roberto Martina said the 27-year-old expressed ‘sincere remorse’ for his actions.
The fitness trainer and his girlfriend were said to be holidaying in Rome on a three-week European tour when the incident took place.
The Italian culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said the act ‘offended those around the world who appreciate the value of archaeology, monuments and history’, and thanked the police for identifying the alleged suspect.
The minister said the government was considering a law that would impose stringent punishment on those found guilty of defacing or damaging the country’s historical and cultural heritage sites.
In 2014, a Russian tourist was given a suspended four-year jail sentence and fined €20,000 (£17,000) for engraving a ‘K’ on the walls of the Colosseum.
