A group of men dressed in black have vandalized the Gallery of Vittorio Emanuele II, located in the central square of the Cathedral of Milan (northern Italy), where, after climbing to the highest part of the monument, they spray-painted some inscriptions, causing the indignation of tourists and Milanese.
The men ascended to the place on Monday night, and before the astonished look of passers-by began to write inscriptions with colored spray bottles on the facade of the structure built in 1865, can be seen in a video uploaded to social networks by the vice president of the Government Matteo Salvini.
"Endless shame. We will do everything possible for law enforcement to bring in these thugs, who must be given a lifelong lesson, based on jail, fines and social services with the disabled and elderly," he wrote.
"And if they are minors, let mom and dad pay, obviously a little distracted...", he added.
Firefighters, along with state police and local police, intervened with a ladder to check the extent of the damage, and police investigations are already underway to identify the perpetrators – at least three – of the act of vandalism, according to local media.
In the video of the events, which occurred around 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) the vandals are seen painting the monument before fleeing and although the firefighters illuminated the gallery with photoelectric lights, no traces of the perpetrators were found.
Today, in daylight, the damage was visible from the square, as from below you could see the inscriptions, which have caused enormous outrage among Milanese and tourists, as well as among the city authorities and on social networks.
This act of vandalism occurs after last July several tourists wrote on the walls of the Colosseum, which generated widespread social condemnation, as well as the Government of Italy, while if the case reaches judicial instances, it is estimated that the fine could amount to 19,000 euros or more.
- Matteo Salvini
- Italy
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