Şişli mayor Resul Emrah Şahan writes ahead of cross-examination: ‘I have no decision I cannot stand behind’

Detained Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan says he has no decision he cannot defend as he prepares for cross-examinations scheduled to begin this week.

In a letter sent to journalists, Şahan said he had been deprived of his freedom for 17 months. He was detained on March 19, 2025, in an investigation into the Kent Uzlaşısı, a political approach he said he supported during local elections because it sought representation for everyone in local government.

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I have no work I want to hide and no decision I cannot stand behind.

Şahan said he continued to stand behind that approach. He described its emergence as a central issue in Turkey’s future as an important opportunity for the country, adding that the question for him was not who had been proven right, but whether Turkey was moving toward the right form of legitimacy.

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I stood behind that political approach yesterday, and I stand behind it today.

He said authorities had ordered his release in the Kent Uzlaşısı case, but he remained in prison because he had also been detained in an Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality investigation. According to Şahan, he was detained a second time when the possibility of release in the first case grew stronger. He later received a release order in the Kent Uzlaşısı case before an indictment had been issued, but could not leave Silivri because of the second detention order.

Şahan said he had answered allegations individually and explained why he had taken each decision, where his authority began and ended, what the public received from the actions and what he personally gained. He said the answer to the last question was clear: “No money. No property. No privilege.” He added that he had protected Şişli’s interests, public assets and people’s safety.

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No money. No property. No privilege.