" I didn't know it was ancient ."
This is how Ivan Danilov, the young man who last month defaced the Colosseum, carving his initials and those of his fiancée, justifies himself in a letter addressed to the Public Prosecutor's Office, to the mayor and to the Municipality of Rome. The video of the gesture, taken by a tourist who, like the 27-year-old Englishman, was visiting the monument in the heart of the "eternal city", soon went around the world . And the culprit was found.
But the message of apology does not seem convincing, given that the Flavian Amphitheater was one of his holiday destinations, and therefore visited on purpose. The man, between the lines, says he is (now) aware of the seriousness of the deed committed and ready to apologize not only to Italy but to the whole world.
In the video that framed him, however, Danilov appears smiling and serene, not at all worried about the gesture he is making. And - despite the attempt to fix things, followed by his lawyers - the "proof of love" could still cost him dearly, with a prison sentence of between 2 and 5 years and a fine of up to 15 thousand euros.
(Unioneonline/vf)
