# Transfăgărășan mountain road vandalism investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/transfgran-mountain-road-vandalism-investigation
> Updated: 2026-08-11T11:40:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

A video released by Salvamont Argeș showing a tourist spraying a heart and the name ‘Anna’ on a rock at Cota 2000 on the Transfăgărășan mountain road sparked widespread public condemnation. The Argeș County Police and the local Environmental Guard launched a joint investigation into the vandalism in the protected natural area.

Authorities later identified the suspect as a 55-year-old retired employee of the Ministry of National Defence from Bucharest. The individual faces fines estimated at approximately 6,000 lei and will be legally required to clean the paint from the rock formation. Reports indicated the man is in a relationship with ‘Anna,’ a Ukrainian citizen who sought refuge in Bucharest in 2022.

On August 12, an eight-person team spent approximately four hours removing eleven markings from rocks at kilometer 115 of the Transfăgărășan road, including the viral ‘Anna’ inscription. The cleanup was performed free of charge by a facility management company that volunteered after being contacted by Salvamont Argeș, with mountain rescue personnel present.

Conflicting reports regarding the suspect have emerged; while initial investigations identified a 55-year-old retired Ministry of National Defence employee, subsequent reports identified the individual as a 46-year-old retired intelligence officer who allegedly carved the name into the rocks. Regarding the motive, the individual reportedly claimed the message ‘ANNA’ was related to karma.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: Transfăgărășan vandalism: Retired official fined for spray-painting rock

A retired official from Bucharest faces fines and must clean a protected rock on the Transfăgărășan after spray-painting a heart and the name ‘Anna’ as a romantic gesture.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/transfgran-vandalism-retired-official-fined-for-spray-painting-rock

### 2026-08-05: Graffiti on Transfăgărășan rock sparks police probe

A tourist sprayed a heart and “Anna” on a Transfăgărășan rock; video went viral, prompting police and environmental guard investigation and identification of a 55‑year‑old suspect facing a fine.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanian-mountain-safety-alerts-after-scooter-incident-on-bucegi-and-bear-encounter-on-transfgran

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Cite as: Transfăgărășan mountain road vandalism investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/transfgran-mountain-road-vandalism-investigation