Rio's Christ statue graffitied

Fri Apr 16, 2010
RIO DE JANEIRO

(AFP) – Brazilian officials were Friday cleaning up graffiti on the famed Christ statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, which was vandalized after access was cut off in the wake of devastating rains.

Vandals over the past week took advantage of the rare closure of Mount Corcovado, following deadly landslides, to gain access to the Christ the Redeemer statue, spraying black graffiti up the figure's head and arms, said Bernardo Issa, head of the Tijuca National Park.

On part of Rio's landmark -- one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World -- someone sprayed screeds about violence and unsolved crimes, and the taunting phrase "When the cat's away, the mouse will play." the rest