When in Rome, keep an eye on dodgy centurions !!!!!!

[Daanyeer]

Source: news.com.au
June 29, 2007 Author: Richard Owen



TOURISTS in Rome are often told to beware of self-styled centurions or gladiators who pose for photographs with them in front of the Colosseum and other monuments - and then demand extortionate fees.

Yesterday, however, one "centurion" found himself charged with assault after allegedly punching and kicking four Americans who offered a fee that he found insulting.

Two victims ended up in hospital and police arrested the centurion after identifying him from the tourists' holiday snaps.

Some of the centurions, who dress up in crested helmets, sandals, capes and plastic breastplates, are licensed by Rome City Council.

Others operate without official approval, despite repeated crackdowns by the authorities.

Jose Nazar, 50, a wine-loving businessman from Los Angeles, had won a trip to Umbria in a charity auction in California, including a stay on the estate of a leading wine producer.

The group decided to spend a day in Rome.

"We arrived in Rome and thought it was just marvellous," he told police.

"We did the classic tour, we visited St Peter's - and then we wanted to see the Colosseum.

"When we saw the centurions we couldn't resist the temptation of a souvenir photo."

They were approached by one centurion - a "big imposing guy" - and happily posed with him.

But the smiles faded when they offered him €4 ($6.40), and disappeared when they said €6 was their limit.

Unauthorised centurions often charge €20 or €30.

Some have been known to offer to take photos with the tourists' cameras - and keep them until they have been paid.

"He became vulgar and aggressive and started insulting us, then pushing and pulling us," Mr Nazar said.

"We moved away thinking that was the end of it.

"Instead he came at us and started attacking us savagely with kicks and punches."

Mr Nazar suffered injuries to his leg and foot.

A 40-year-old woman also needed treatment.

Police said they had recently arrested 28 unlicensed fake centurions for "violating laws banning commercial activity in an archeological area".

They said the problem was compounded by turf wars between gangs keen to monopolise the tourist photo scam.

The Times, London, in The Australian