04.09.2026 21:40
Following the violent footage that led to Berhan Şimşek's resignation, attention has turned to Özlem Şanver, who spoke for the first time about her 9.5-year relationship. Şanver, who described having experienced violence in the past and having tried to leave many times, recounted her ordeal with these words: 'I rented a house in Burhaniye and wanted to leave and escape. He came after me and said, 'It will get better, I'm sorry,' and I believed him.'
Following the images of the assault that led to the resignation of CHP Deputy Chairman Berhan Şimşek, his partner of 9.5 years, Özlem Şanver, broke her silence. Şanver stated that she was also subjected to violence in 2021 and filed a complaint after that incident, saying, “I wanted to leave and get away. I rented a house in Burhaniye, but he followed me and said, ‘It will get better, I’m sorry.’ I believed him.” Reacting to the criticism directed at her, such as “Why didn’t you leave?”, Şanver said, “Believe me, you can’t know unless you’re in it.”
“WE’VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 9.5 YEARS, WE LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE”
Özlem Şanver, answering Enver Aysever’s questions, said she had been with Berhan Şimşek for approximately 9.5 years and they had been living in the same house in Istanbul for a long time. Şanver stated that she is currently in Balıkesir and is staying there in accordance with a court decision.
Şanver also drew attention to past incidents of violence, in addition to the images recently reflected in the public eye.
“HE ALSO USED VIOLENCE IN 2021”
Stating that she was subjected to violence in 2021 as well and filed a complaint after that incident, Şanver said that the incident was also reflected in television news at that time.
Regarding the past events, Şanver said, “Because he said ‘I didn’t even touch my finger,’ the violence and the medical report for assault he committed in 2021, that was also on TV news.”
“THIS IMAGE IS FROM JUNE 2025”
Şanver stated that the image debated in the public belongs to June 2025. Explaining that she also filed a complaint after this incident, Şanver said she once again wanted to end the relationship and distance herself.
Şanver described the process as follows:
“I complained again, I even left. I wanted to break away and get rid of it from time to time... I rented a house in Burhaniye, Balıkesir. We came there.”
“HE SAID IT WILL GET BETTER, I’M SORRY, AND I BELIEVED HIM”
Şanver said she went to Burhaniye to end the relationship and build her own life, but Şimşek followed her and persuaded her again.
Şanver said, “It will get better, it will be fine, I’m sorry. We came back together. But you think so, unfortunately,” expressing that leaving a violent relationship is not as easy as it seems from the outside.
“THERE ARE THOSE WHO JUDGE ME, SAYING ‘WHY DIDN’T YOU LEAVE?’”
Şanver also reacted to those who criticized her for the process she went through, approaching her with the question, “If you were subjected to violence, why didn’t you leave?”
“Those who have gone through it—of course, there are those who judge me on this matter. Like, ‘Why didn’t you leave then?’ Believe me, without being in my shoes... No, no one has the right to make this question or this assessment,” said Şanver, continuing as follows:
“Why didn’t I leave? Well, I didn’t leave; should I get beaten? I didn’t leave; should I be subjected to violence? We can’t look at it from that perspective.”
“I THOUGHT THERE WAS A BOND OF LOVE LASTING 9.5 YEARS”
Drawing attention to the length of the relationship, Şanver said that assessments made by people from the outside cannot fully reflect what was experienced.
In response to the assessment, “It’s a long-term relationship, lasting longer than many marriages. A bond of love must have formed for this relationship to be established,” Şanver stated that this was her thought at the beginning of the relationship, but what happened left her disappointed.
“I NEVER SHARED ANY PHOTO OF HIM IN 9.5 YEARS”
Şanver also recounted that she tried to keep her relationship away from the public eye for many years.
“I thought so, but unfortunately, if that had been true, I would not have a single photo shared with him anywhere in these 9.5 years,” said Şanver, adding that she also closed the joint Instagram account they used about two years ago.
Şanver said, “In all these years, I never shared anything of his anywhere, but everyone, even some politicians, already knows me as his wife.”