Viral video of tourist carving names into Colosseum wall sparked outrage.

Italian police have identified the tourist allegedly responsible for defacing the Colosseum last week after a viral video of the incident sparked outrage around the world.

The man, who used a key to carve his name and that of his girlfriend into an inner wall of the amphitheatre, is believed to have been on holiday in Rome from England.

Italy's culture minister on Twitter thanked the Carabinieri police for promptly identifiying the alleged culprit of "the uncivilised and absurd act committed at the Colosseum".

IDENTIFIED THE AUTHOR OF THE DEFACEMENT ON THE WALLS OF THE COLOSSEUM

The Italian Minister of Culture @g_sangiuliano announced that the @_Carabinieri_ have identified the person who in recent days defaced a wall of the Flavian Amphitheatre https://t.co/vI5dychtge— Colosseo • Foro Romano • Palatino (@ParcoColosseo) June 29, 2023

Gennaro Sangiuliano said the act "offended all those throughout the world who appreciate the value of archaeology, monuments and history", adding: "Now I hope that justice will take its course by rigorously applying the laws."

Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande inciviltà, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi più celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY— Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) June 26, 2023

According to The Daily Mail, the tourist suspected of carving "Ivan + Hayley 23" into the Roman landmark is a fitness instructor who lives in Bristol but is originally from Bulgaria.

If convicted, the man risks a fine of €15,000 and a jail sentence of up to five years.

In 2014 a Russian tourist was fined €20,000 after carving a large letter “K” on a wall inside the Roman landmark.