Ivan Watson

CNN International correspondent Ivan Watson said goodbye to Istanbul at a farewell party with his colleagues, who presented him some tongue-in-cheek political gifts that refer to his recent clash with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A dispute broke between Washington and Ankara after it was revealed that CNN correspondent Ivan Watson had been harassed by Turkish police on the anniversary of Gezi protests.

US State Department officials dismissed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's comments that Watson was "an agent" and wanted to "stir up trouble in Turkey".

Washington June 3 dismissed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s accusations targeting CNN International correspondent Ivan Watson over his coverage on the Gezi protests. Erdoğan questioned CNN’s impartiality, labeling Watson “an agent” and blasting him for “wanting to stir up trouble in Turkey.”

Washington June 3 dismissed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s accusations targeting CNN International correspondent Ivan Watson over his coverage on the Gezi protests. Erdoğan questioned CNN’s impartiality, labeling Watson “an agent” and blasting him for “wanting to stir up trouble in Turkey.”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan toughened his rhetoric against foreign media coverage of the demonstrations in Turkey, blasting CNN International’s correspondent Ivan Watson, who was detained on air during Gezi anniversary protests May 31, for being an “agent.”

Water cannons and tear gas helped Turkish police to disperse demonstrators marking the first anniversary of Gezi Park protests.

Taskim Square in Istanbul, Turkey's biggest cities, was virtually sealed off by 25 000 police preventing citizens from reaching the venue. Armored vehicles had been also deployed to safeguard a ban on gatherings this weekend imposed by the government.

Police intervened in the live shooting by CNN International, questioning the broadcaster’s correspondent.

As tensions rise hours before the planned protests at Istanbul’s Taksim Square, police intervened in the live shooting by CNN International, questioning the broadcaster’s correspondent.