10.06.2026 11:30
Dr. Hakan Bahadır, the Mayor of Istanbul Bahçelievler, caught a dessert shop operated by a Syrian individual red-handed during inspections across the district, as it was run in violation of hygiene rules and without a license, and had it sealed. Warning the shopkeeper, who could not present a license, and his accountant whom he called on the phone in a harsh tone, Mayor Bahadır said, "The rules applied to citizens of the Republic of Türkiye are also valid for you; there are no privileges for anyone," and immediately halted the shop's operations.
Dr. Hakan Bahadır, Mayor of Istanbul Bahçelievler, did not allow any rule-breaking during his unannounced inspections across the district. Mayor Bahadır raided the shop of a Syrian vendor selling desserts openly in unlicensed and extremely unhygienic conditions, immediately sealing the business, and reacted harshly, saying, "The rules applied to citizens of the Republic of Turkey also apply to you; you will comply with the regulations."
COUNTERS FILTHY, NO LICENSE!
Dr. Hakan Bahadır, the mayor tightening inspection standards across Bahçelievler, entered a dessert shop he found suspicious during field inspections. Examining the desserts sold openly on counters in complete violation of hygiene rules and the shelves himself, Bahadır was furious at the scene he witnessed. Addressing the shop owner, he asked, "Peace be upon you... What is this? Dessert... But you are selling it openly. Are you a dessert maker? Where are you from?" Receiving the answer "Syria," Bahadır immediately intervened, saying, "Show me your license," and requested the official documents.
THREAT TO ACCOUNTANT ON THE PHONE
When the Syrian vendor could not present a license and made an excuse saying, "I came with the accountant," Mayor Bahadır had the shop's accountant called by phone. Taking the phone, Bahadır harshly addressed the accountant who turned a blind eye to the irregularities, stating: "I came to your taxpayer, I am calling you from there now. This place is very dirty, very messy, no license. You open these places and send them to the tax office. Why don't you send them to the municipality to get a license? We will seal this place now. Just as I close this place down, I will take action against you too. The man is selling baklava in the open, selling this and that. Is that possible?"
"EVERYONE IS EQUAL, NO PRIVILEGE!"
After the phone call, Hakan Bahadır turned back to the shop owner, emphasizing that no one will be given special treatment within the borders of the Republic of Turkey and that laws are equal for everyone. Speaking in a clear and uncompromising tone, the Mayor of Bahçelievler continued his warnings with these words: "You will follow the rules. A citizen of the Republic of Turkey... What I demand from them, I will demand from you too; there is no such thing. We will close this place and seal it. You will comply with the rules of the Republic of Turkey!"
DOOR SEALED
Following the clear instruction from Mayor Dr. Hakan Bahadır, the customers and employees in the shop were escorted out. Bahçelievler Municipality police teams officially sealed the unlicensed and unhygienic shop, shutting down its operations.