Justin Bieber was caught up in his security team’s attempt to by-pass passport control at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old and his team touched down in the Turkish capital via private jet late yesterday evening, ahead of a Believe tour concert tonight.
According to local media outlet, Hurriyet Daily News , Bieber’s security rushed the star through the airport to their waiting vehicles before passport control officials could check their travel documentation.
Security officials ran after the tour group to stop them from leaving the airport vehicle pick-up point, and forced the singer and his crew to remain in their cars until passport officials came out to conduct the passport checks.
It’s also been reported that an argument ensued between Bieber’s security team and airport security, which the video below appears to substantiate.
Around 35 ‘Beliebers,’ as fans of the Canadian heartthrob are called, were at the airport to catch a glimpse of their idol but were thwarted by his security team who blocked views of the singer with umbrellas from waiting paparazzi.
A large crowd has already begun filling Istanbul’s Technical University’s sports arena hours before the sold-out concert begins.
The teen star flew to Turkey from his last show in Moscow, where he invited a young fan to join him on stage as he performed his 2010 hit “Baby.”
The singer is next set to play two concerts at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium on May 4 and 5.
Earlier today, Bieber wrote on his Twitter account:
“Turkey is crazy right now. We ready.”
So, it seems, was Istanbul.