Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 7, 2008 1:05:34 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

What?! Tourist Arrested for Busting Ancient Statue's Ear

Posted Mar 27, 08 11:05 AM CDT in Arts & Living,  World 

(Newser) – A Finnish tourist is facing an imposing sentence for cracking an ear off one of Easter Island's ancient monoliths, the Guardian reports. A local woman saw him snap the ear off the 13-foot statue. It shattered in several pieces as it fell to the ground, and he fled with one of the bits clutched in his hand, said authorities. A Finnish diplomat said the man, 26, deeply regrets his "sudden, impulsive crazy idea."

The tourist could be sent to jail for seven years and fined $20,000 if found guilty of damaging the statue. Chilean law forbids defacing the giant stone figures. More than 400 of the huge statues, carved as long as 1,000 years ago, remain on the island. Authorities hope the damaged statue can be repaired—with the souven-ear hunter picking up the tab.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
This photo released by Chilean Investigative Police, shows one of the massive Moai statues, center, whose right earlobe was stolen by a Finnish tourist.   (AP Photo/Chilean Investigative Police )
This photo released by Chilean Investigative Police shows one of the massive Moai statues, left, whose right earlobe was stolen by a Finnish tourist in Easter Island, Sunday, March 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chilean Investigative Police )
Chilean law forbids defacing the ancient Moai statues, carved between 400 and 1,000 years ago.   (Magnum Photos)
Giant statues loom on Chile's Easter Island.   (Magnum Photos)
A tourist is facing a prison sentence for damaging one of Easter Island's ancient statues.   (Magnum Photos)
View of the Moais, the giant volcanic rock statues, at the Easter Island, South Pacific, in this Feb. 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/La Tercera)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Chile  • tourists  • statue  • vandalism  • monument  • Easter Island


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »