Özlem Şanver, who was assaulted by Berhan Şimşek, recounts the day of the incident for the first time: 'The part you didn't see was much more terrifying and heartbreaking'

Footage of Berhan Şimşek, who was appointed as a deputy chairman by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu—who had been brought to the CHP chairmanship by a decision of absolute nullity—assaulting Özlem Şanver, had dominated the agenda.

Şanver, who was subjected to violence by Şimşek, has made new statements.

Speaking to Alev Gürsoy Cimin from Posta, Şanver described what happened on the day of the incident and the events leading up to it.

Şanver stated that the violence Şimşek directed at her was not limited to the moments reflected on camera.

“HE FORCED MY HAND, THERE WERE INSULTS AND PROFANITY”

Stating that there was an argument regarding Şimşek's driver before the incident, Şanver expressed that she was very angry and upset at the time. Şanver said that after the argument, she threw a plastic storage container, but it did not hit Şimşek.

Stating that the reason for the incident could not justify the violence directed at her, Şanver used the following expressions:

“I was very angry and upset. When he came at me, I threw a plastic storage container. I didn't want to, but he forced my hand; there were insults and profanity at that moment, and all of it was so humiliating and degrading that I cannot describe it here.”

Reiterating that the container she threw did not hit Şimşek, Şanver argued that she had heard a conversation Şimşek had with his driver before the argument and that he had not told her the truth about it.

“Do you think this could be the reason for the violence I experienced? There is also the background to this. I see and hear a conversation he had with his driver in the camera footage. I mention it to him, too. Because he swore, I actually catch him. I say, ‘Don't bother swearing, I already saw it.’”

“THE PART YOU DIDN'T SEE WAS MUCH MORE TERRIFYING”

Explaining that Şimşek's physical intervention against her began after the plastic container was thrown, Şanver said that in the first blow, he struck her on the shin.

“I throw the plastic storage container. It doesn't hit him, but he comes and hits me hard; it hits my shin. I was in so much pain and I screamed with that pain. He dragged me inside. Do you think that inside he said ‘My darling’ and stroked my cheek, kissed my forehead… The part you didn't see was much more terrifying and heartbreaking. He chokes me, slaps me, breaks the television, throws finished coffee at the wall. These are not in the footage because the footage belongs to the external security camera.”

Şanver stated that the security cameras only recorded the exterior of the house, which is why what happened inside was not included in the footage.

“THE DOSE OF VIOLENCE HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS”

Stating that the violence she experienced was not the first time, Şanver announced that she had experienced a similar incident in 2021 and that she had a medical report for assault and a complaint regarding it.

Şanver said, “I was also subjected to violence in 2021. I have an assault report and a complaint regarding this.”

Stating that the violence increased in the final periods of their relationship, Şanver said, “In the last 2-3 years, the dose of violence has gradually increased.”

Şanver also categorically rejected the allegations that she was “setting a trap” for Şimşek by sharing the footage and trying to discredit him.

“Never! But I wanted everyone to know what this man is like. We reached these days by staying silent. This camera has been in our home for about nine years. I didn't record some things even when I locked myself in a room during times I was scared before. Why would I do such a thing to a man I love and am in love with? Why would I accumulate footage of the person I lived with for years just to discredit him?”

“HE OFFICIALLY CONDEMNED ME TO POVERTY”

Şanver alleged that she was subjected not only to physical violence but also to economic violence during the relationship. Stating that Şimşek frequently brought up the expenses he made for her and the money he gave her, Şanver said that this situation created pressure on her.

“If he is even counting what he did and the pocket money he gave, then you see something other than love there. Just as it is absurd for me to say to him, ‘I cooked for you, I acted like a wife,’ it is very hurtful for him to count the pocket money he gave. I was the one who was truly subjected to economic violence.”

Describing her economic situation, Şanver stated that she was not wanted to work, but despite this, she was not supported financially.

“He officially condemned me to poverty. He was both jealous and didn't want me to work, and he officially left me penniless. He expected me to get by on 20 thousand TL per month. He was constantly holding it over my head. He was someone who loved money very much.”

“BERHAN IS A VERY GOOD ACTOR, HE ACTS WELL IN REAL LIFE TOO”

Touching on why she continued the relationship that lasted about 9.5 years, Şanver said that despite the problems experienced over time, she maintained hope for improvement.

Şanver described this situation with these words:

“On one hand, you deceive yourself: You say, ‘Actually, he is a good person, he will improve.’ Berhan is a very good actor; he acts well in real life too.”

“I BECAME A VOICE FOR OTHER WOMEN”

Şanver stated that after she told the public about what she had been through, she was reached by different women. Claiming that some of the women Şimşek had been with in the past had also experienced similar violence, Şanver stated that these people could not speak out due to fear.

“I used to see his ex-girlfriend's Tweets before. When I asked ‘Who is this woman?’, he had remarks like ‘She is a mental patient, she won't leave me alone.’ It turns out they lived in the same house with the woman for 3-4 years and she was also subjected to violence. I am not the only one, but she was scared. I became a voice for other women. They were hesitant about some things, they were scared. They may have their own valid reasons, but they called me and said, ‘We feel relieved.’ When it first hit the press two months ago, he later called me and said, ‘Do you know my clientele has increased? It turns out women like violence.’”