The Police Department made it clear that after investigating the circumstances surrounding the detaining of Washington Post Journalist William Booth on Tuesday at Damascus Gate, it was “Required in light of information received, that was later refuted.”
“That being said, if anyone detained was caused any harm, we are sorry. The police is aware of the sensitivity required (in such a situation) and the police officers are stationed to enable the journalists’ work, even in sources of conflict with high security sensitivity, with emphasis placed on the public’s wellbeing and the safety of the journalists themselves, while honoring the important value of freedom of press,” the statement read.