Heritage Malta condemns act of vandalism at Ġgantija

Heritage Malta unreservedly condemns an act of vandalism perpetrated yesterday at Ġgantija, where an Italian student caused irreparable damage by etching letters on one of the main doorways of this Neolithic monument declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The 18-year-old student was visiting the site as part of a school trip. He was caught in the act by a security officer and the police were immediately summoned on site. The youth was arraigned during an urgent session of the Gozo Court held yesterday, where he admitted to the charges brought against him.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for four years, which is the maximum period permitted by law, and to a fine of €15,000.

Heritage Malta, having invested considerably over the past months in the enhancement of security at its museums and sites, voices its satisfaction at the timely intervention of the security officer involved in yesterday’s incident.