Istanbul Mayor Trial Day 9: Şahan Claims Arrest Due to Refusal to Favor Contractors

Istanbul’s Şişli Mayor, Resul Emrah Şahan, stated he is imprisoned for refusing to comply with the demands of construction companies, during the ninth day of his trial on Tuesday. The hearing similarly saw restrictions placed on the entry of opposition CHP lawmakers into the courtroom.

According to reports from the courtroom, CHP deputies Ali Mahir Başarır, Mahmut Tanal, Turan Taşkın Özer, Özgür Karabat, and Bahadır Erdem were denied access to the hearing. When lawyers questioned the presiding judge about the exclusion of the five parliamentarians, the judge responded it was “at the discretion of the prosecution.”

The trial was adjourned at 4:45 PM local time after Şahan had delivered approximately one hour and 45 minutes of testimony. He is scheduled to resume his defense when proceedings resume at 6:00 PM.

Earlier in the day, the defense of Altan Ertürk concluded, paving the way for Şahan to present his case. Şahan, addressing the court, spoke of receiving letters of support from citizens, including one from a woman named Hanife Teyze from Erzurum, which he said bolstered his resolve. He criticized the lack of a clear accusation against him, stating, “They tell me ‘you are guilty.’ I ask, ‘Of what?’ They say, ‘We don’t know, you are guilty, prove it.’”

Şahan asserted that he was being targeted as part of a “hostile structure’s” scheme and warned that those responsible for separating families and unjustly imprisoning individuals would be held accountable, “in the people’s conscience and, most importantly, in the Great Divine Court.” He specifically referenced the impact of his detention on his five-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

Şahan defended his political stance, stating his support for the “Turkey Alliance” and his advocacy for the representation of Kurds in western Turkish provinces. He claimed his arrest stemmed from this position, alleging that the accusation centered on supporting the political representation of Kurds in western Turkey. He described those he represents as “our neighbors, our brothers, our colleagues… people who share the same sorrows and joys as us.”

He detailed a timeline of events, beginning with his arrest in March 2025 related to a “city consensus” case, followed by the involvement of the İBB (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) case in August. He noted his release on bail in February related to the “city consensus” case, only to face the current charges in March. Şahan argued this sequence demonstrated the political nature of the proceedings, stating that following a report from a commission, “not a single person remained” involved in the “city consensus” case.

Şahan further alleged an unprecedented action by the municipality, claiming that the deeds to properties belonging to Şişli Belediyesi were electronically revoked overnight. He stated he had discussed the matter with former Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum, who acknowledged the technical validity of the municipality’s claim.

Şahan recounted a dispute over a planned 72-story skyscraper in Şişli, stating he opposed the project and faced threats as a result. He claimed the construction company’s owner had verbally abused him, calling him a “vampire” and his group a “gang.” He emphasized his opposition wasn’t to the contractor, but to the system that enabled such projects.

He described repeated calls from the provincial governor urging him to approve the skyscraper project, which he resisted. Şahan asserted he was being prosecuted for not yielding to the interests of developers.

Şahan also challenged the basis of the charges against him, claiming that the indictment failed to mention a key 2020 agreement related to a park development project. He stated the current charges were based on the failure to complete the park in 2024, a delay attributed to unforeseen circumstances involving the demolition of existing structures.

He further alleged that a commercial check was “forcibly” used as evidence against him, linking it to a large construction company with ties to the ruling party. He questioned the relevance of the check, stating it was part of a routine commercial relationship and should not be considered evidence of wrongdoing.

Şahan concluded his initial statement by asserting that the “organization” referenced in the indictment was, in fact, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality itself, and that those labeled as “members” were political allies and bureaucrats dedicated to just and democratic governance. He drew a parallel to a 2003 case involving President Erdoğan, where he argued the principle of respecting the public’s will was upheld.

The hearing continues with the resumption of Şahan’s defense at 6:00 PM local time.