Confusion Over Şişli City Restaurants: Trustee Denies Closure, Şahan Shares Photos of Shut Doors

Controversy continues in Şişli Municipality after the appointment of a trustee, following the arrest and suspension of Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan. While the Presidency’s Communications Directorate claimed city restaurants remain operational, Şahan posted photos on social media showing the shutters closed, reigniting debate over who is telling the truth.

Presidential Directorate: “Restaurants Are Open”

The Presidential Communications Directorate’s Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) issued a statement denying allegations that the city restaurants were shut down by the trustee, Şişli District Governor Cevdet Ertürkmen, who was appointed as acting mayor on March 23.

“There is no such decision. All municipal activities, including the city restaurants, continue for the public benefit,” the statement read.

Şahan Challenges the Official Narrative

Responding directly to the official denial, Resul Emrah Şahan shared photographs of the visibly closed restaurants, asking:

“Why are the City Restaurants closed as seen in these photos?”

He further stated:

“If our Mobile City Restaurant was working, it would be serving in front of Şişli Mosque. But today, it's sitting in the municipality's garage.”

Şahan claimed the closures were ordered via verbal instructions and framed the situation as part of a larger political struggle:

“This fight is between those whose eyes are not full and those whose stomachs are not full.”

Municipality Confirms Closure, Cites Supply Issues

Later, Şişli Municipality confirmed that two fixed and one mobile City Restaurant have indeed been closed since March 19, citing material supply shortages as the reason.

According to the municipality, the newly appointed trustee, Cevdet Ertürkmen, gave instructions to reopen the facilities on March 24, the day he officially assumed office.