Italy expels S.African who flew drone near Vatican

By AFP

South Africa The drone was flying over Rome's Via della Conciliazione which leads to Saint Peter's Basilica. By Tiziana FABI AFPFile

SEP 19, 2018 LISTEN

The drone was flying over Rome's Via della Conciliazione which leads to Saint Peter's Basilica. By Tiziana FABI (AFP/File)

A South African man has been ordered to leave Italy after flying his drone near the Vatican, Italian police said on Wednesday.

Police arrested the 25-year-old as he flew his drone over the main Via della Conciliazione that leads towards Saint Peter's Square where the pope was leading Sunday prayers.

"He was given an order to leave the country and his drone and camera confiscated," Rome police said in a statement.

The South African embassy declined to comment his arrest and expulsion.

Under Rome's strict security measures, it is illegal to overfly the city, including with a drone.

Two French tourists flying a drone near the Colosseum last year were fined around 3,000 euros ($3,500) and had their equipment confiscated and destroyed, police said.