Foreign photojournalist reports on his arrest during the DNC protest in Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago police said 74 people were arrested during protests at the Democratic National Convention this week, three of them journalists.

One of these three journalists was Los Angeles-based freelance photographer Sinna Nasseri, who had come to Chicago to document the protests.

“I like to go where something is happening,” Nasseri said. “I'm looking for an iconic photo and I want to show how history is being made. And this is where the most interesting things are happening in the country right now. Everything is happening here. So I had to be here.”

Nasseri covers history – and often conflict – for publications such as The New York Times, Time Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. On Tuesday evening, he appeared outside the Accenture Tower at 500 W. Madison St., where the Israeli consulate in Chicago is located, to take photos of the interactions between protesters and police…

“I was surprised when they … created a situation where the protesters and journalists were surrounded by the police and there was really no way out at that point,” Nasseri said.

Nasseri left the protest in police custody.

“I mean, I understand that in the heat of the moment you might get handcuffed, but when I told them I was a journalist and they saw my press pass and my equipment, they should have known I had done nothing wrong – which I hadn't – and they probably should have let me go,” he said.

Nasseri was one of 59 people arrested in total during the protests on Tuesday eveningHe said he spent two hours on the bus and then another six hours in jail.

He said he could not speak to his lawyer until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Later Wednesday morning, Police Commissioner Larry Snelling confirmed that three journalists had been arrested at the previous evening's demonstration. He said the journalists had hampered the CPD's ability to make arrests.

“There are situations where we call a mass arrest or try to move in. That's when you have to step aside,” Snelling said.

Nasseri said he had never heard of a deportation order before his arrest and said he would fight the charges because he fears experiences like his could have a chilling effect on the profession.

“I am here to ensure that peace is maintained by shedding light on exactly what is happening,” he said.

Nasseri said he will fly back to Chicago for his next court date in September.

Meanwhile, Chicago police promised Friday to release detailed data on all arrests related to the DNC.