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Australian journalist detained by US police while reporting on riots

Nadine Carroll
Updated ·2-min read

An Australian journalist has been detained by police while covering the riots in Minneapolis.

9News US correspondent Tim Arvier is in the city where the riots have been continuing for almost a week sparked by the death of black man George Floyd in police custody.

Tim Arvier sits with handcuffed colleagues in Minneapolis after being detained by police as the widespread protests over the death of George Floyd continue.
Australian journalist Tim Arvier was detailed by US police during the Minneapolis riots. Source: 9News

Arvier tweeted police had detained himself and his crew.

"Just been detained and searched by Minneapolis Police. They cuffed my cameraman and our security, but were respectful and have now let us go," he wrote.

The news crew’s live reporting from the epicentre of the violent riots has included images of stores being looted and an attempted bank robbery as well as interviews with multiple protesters.

Arvier described the moment to 9News, saying once officers realised they were not a threat, they calmed down.

"You have to stop, put your hands out the window and show your credentials,” he said.

"We were yelling out we were press.

"One police officer freaked out, pulled his gun out and got us to get out of the car.”

9News US correspondent Tim Arvier is searched by a police officer in Minneapolis.
Arvier and his crew were searched by police in Minneapolis, where riots have wreaked havoc in the wake of George Floyd's death. Source: 9News

It comes a day after a Swedish journalist was shot in the thigh with a rubber bullet, apparently from a police gun in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz fully mobilised the state's National Guard and promised a massive show of force to help quell unrest that has grown increasingly destructive.

"The situation in Minneapolis is no longer in any way about the murder of George Floyd," Mr Walz said.

"It is about attacking civil society, instilling fear and disrupting our great cities."

The Pentagon has ordered the US army to put military police units on alert to head to the city on short notice, at President Donald Trump's request, insiders said.

—With AAP

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