Istanbul’s governor has disputed claims made by a former mayor of a city district regarding a development project, alleging the statements are false and misleading. The exchange centers on a proposed high-rise building in the Şişli district and accusations of political interference.
Resul Emrah Şahan, the former mayor of Şişli, had asserted that he faced pressure from the Istanbul Governor’s Office to approve the construction of a skyscraper in the area. He claimed the project would encroach on green space and potentially impede emergency response efforts. Şahan stated that during a meeting, the governor asked, “What will happen in Şişli if there is another skyscraper?” and implied a desire to see the project move forward. He maintains he is being prosecuted for opposing this vision.
According to Şahan, he was pressured throughout his tenure, with the governor repeatedly summoning him to discuss the development. He said he was being prosecuted for not “turning a blind eye” to the project, suggesting that compliance would have shielded him from legal challenges.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office issued a statement on March 25, 2026, refuting Şahan’s allegations as “completely distortive and untrue.” The office detailed the history of the project, tracing it back to a 2006 agreement between Taş Yapı and the Bulgarian Vakfı (Bulgarian Foundation) for a 72-story building. The Şişli Municipality initially approved the plans in 2008.
Though, the office stated that the municipality inexplicably delayed issuing a construction permit until 2015. The company then appealed to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, which revised the building height to 38 stories on April 14, 2015. Despite the ministry’s approval, the Şişli Municipality continued to obstruct the project, prompting Taş Yapı to file complaints with the Interior Ministry, the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the Şişli district governorship, and the public prosecutor’s office, alleging arbitrary actions by the municipality.
The Governor’s Office clarified that a meeting between Şahan and Governor Davut Gül concerned the complaints filed by the Bulgarian Vakfı regarding the municipality’s attempts to hinder their property rights as defined by the zoning plan. The case underscores ongoing tensions between local administrations and developers in Istanbul.
