Investigation permit granted for Resul Emrah Şahan

The Ministry of Interior has granted an investigation permit regarding Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, who was arrested during the operation process on March 19, following an inquiry initiated upon the application of Taşyapı İnşaat, based on allegations of "encroachment on land without right" and "unlawful disposal of property belonging to others."

According to information reported by Halk TV, the Ministry's report stated that the front facade eaves, staircase section, and architectural projections of the municipal service building violated the boundaries of parcels belonging to Taşyapı on a square-meter basis. In contrast, it was noted that the encroachment in question occurred during the 2007–2016 period and was recorded during inspections conducted in 2020, meaning the current situation emerged before Şahan took office.

TRUSTEE EXCLUDED FROM THE FILE

The Ministry evaluated this encroachment as a "continuous crime," alleging that Şahan, who served between April 4, 2024, and March 23, 2025, did not take steps to rectify the current situation. However, it drew attention that Cevdet Ertürkmen, who is named in the same file and was appointed as a trustee to the municipality by the Ministry of Interior following Şahan's arrest, was not included in the scope of the investigation.

The prepared investigation permit text also included detailed information regarding the zoning history of the area where the municipal service building is located. It was stated that a portion of the parcels previously belonged to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Foundation, and that Taşyapı became a rights holder in these areas following expropriation and restitution processes. Furthermore, records indicated that the alignment plan for the municipal building was prepared in 2010, and that the project design and licensing processes were carried out under different administrations starting from 2007, meaning the building's current structure was shaped in periods prior to Şahan.

MINISTRY PLACED RESPONSIBILITY ON ŞAHAN

Despite all this historical process contained in the documents, the Ministry directed criminal responsibility to Şahan, stating that the solution regarding the parcel encroachment had not been implemented for years and that a path of settlement for compensation or expropriation was not chosen during Şahan's term either.

ŞAHAN'S LAWYER APPEALED THE DECISION

The investigation permit serves as an administrative process that allows for a criminal case to be initiated. Following the decision, Şahan's lawyer applied to the 1st Chamber of the Council of State. In the appeal petition, Hüseyin Ersöz, the lawyer for the imprisoned Şahan, emphasized that there was no personal gain, bribery, or conflict of interest involved regarding Şahan. Ersöz stated that the investigation permit is "political in nature," does not comply with relevant legislation, paves the way for the prosecution of numerous public administrators in similar situations outside the principles of public administration, and that an elected mayor is being targeted.

News Source: 12punto