Journalist detained while reporting on damage to Hagia Sophia

Click to read the article in Turkish

A reporter for TELE 1 TV was detained yesterday (May 30) while reporting on the damage on Hagia Sophia.

Reporter Engin Açar was interviewing Şerif Yaşar, the head of the Art History Association. Preventing him from doing his job, police officers took Açar to the Sirkeci Police Station.

Açar was released after giving a statement.

Açar announced his detention on Twitter and said the police officers did not provide a "sensible reason" for his detention.

"I wasn't even told a sensible reason while I was being taken to [the police station]. They mentioned the Twitter posts I just shared. My purpose was clear, this is what the police officer said."

The historic monument that was converted from a museum into a mosque has recently been under scrutiny because of the damage inflicted by visitors.

Hagia Sophia's Imperial Gate is among the damaged artifacts.

CLICK - 'The endless suffering': What is happening in Hagia Sophia?

(HA/VK)