VIDEO: CNN reporter detained by police on air

This article is more than 12 months old

Jun 02, 2014 10:15 am

CNN journalist Ivan Watson was reporting from Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square on the one-year anniversary of the Gezi Park protests, which sparked countless of demonstrations against the government.

Watson was standing near police officers and describing the heavy presence of security when plainclothes officers suddenly surrounded him and demanded for his media pass and passport.

"We are being detained,” Watson told viewers while he was live on air. “I’m being kicked,” he added before the camera cut.

Police released the CNN crew after half an hour. Watson explained on Twitter that police did not believe his official Turkish press card was real.