'Barbarian' tourist who rode moped through streets of Pompeii arrested
POMPEII, CAMPANIA: A 33-year-old Australian tourist was arrested after he was found riding in a moped in a historical place in Pompeii in Rome, Italy. He was moving across the ancient ruins on a moped for about a mile. The Aussie tourist was arrested for his moped drive through the 2,000-year-old grounds of the site.
He was apprehended by security after traveling in the vehicle for a long time. However, the investigation team confirmed, that the Australian tourist has not made any major damage to the world's largest archaeological park. Park authorities have confirmed the rider's visit and he was described as a "barbarian" by local Italian media.
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The tourist stated he was least aware that he wasn't allowed to drive through the 2,000-year-old site which was famously destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Pompeii is one of the top sites on the list of world heritage sites. Hence, the property is highly protected. The man has since been charged by the police with 'unauthorized access'. According to Daily Mail, the park said in a statement: "The route taken is a dirt road outside the ancient city walls, used by site vehicles for excavation works.'It is safe, restored, and not accessible to the public. So there was no danger for either visitors or for the archaeological heritage at any point."
A report in The Sun said, "His ride only lasted "a few minutes thanks to the efficient work by security guards and CCTV", they confirmed. The report further added He accessed the park illegally through the service entrance for maintenance vehicles and thankfully only rode on an external stretch of the city and not ancient roads.
This news is coming out after a month of charging a 28-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were fined €400 each after they were caught on camera 'purposely' launching a scooter down the 18th-century Trinità de Monti staircase. Rome's heritage protection body stated there were damages on the 16th and 29th steps of the right-hand staircase. However, the woman was intentionally pushing her scooter down the stairs.
Meanwhile, a more formal complaint was filed against her for damaging the sacred stairwell - an offense punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of at least €2,050. A Saudi Arabian man was also arrested and charged earlier this year for attempting to drive his rented Maserati down the stairs, breaking off a chunk of the travertine stone.