Potential €113,000 fine for French tourist in Rome

A French tourist was arrested by police in Rome on Thursday afternoon after piloting his camera drone over the iconic Colosseum.

Flying over the Flavian Amphitheatre might seem tempting, strict laws govern the piloting of remote aircraft in Italy.

When the tourist brought the drone back down to earth at around midday, he was quickly arrested by police and charged with violating Italian aviation rules. The aircraft was also confiscated, Adnkronos reported.

Though it is likely to be seen as a misdemeanor, violating Italian aviation rules is an offence potentially punishable with fines of up to €113,000.

“Tourists are often caught flying drones,” a spokesperson for the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, Enac, told The Local.

http://www.thelocal.it/20160408/french-tourist-booked-for-colosseum-drone-flight

A slightly ironic turn in some ways as France leads the way in fining tourists flying around the Eiffel Tower and other Parisian attractions. To date there have been three cases.