CHP official's partner alleges he said violence boosted his clientele

September 14, 2026 at 12:46 AM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Özlem Şanver, partner of former CHP official Berhan Şimşek, alleged that after leaked footage showed him assaulting her, he told her his clientele had grown because women like violence. Şimşek resigned from his CHP posts on September 4 after the video circulated. Şanver detailed the events in an interview with Posta.

Key Facts

Berhan Şimşek resigned from his CHP positions on September 4 after footage of him assaulting Özlem Şanver circulated online.
Şanver alleged that Şimşek called her after the video spread and said, "You know, my clientele increased, women like violence."
Şanver said she threw a plastic storage container during the argument but it did not hit Şimşek.
Şanver claimed Şimşek verbally abused and threatened his new advisor Tayfun Güler, who announced he would file a criminal complaint.

The Alleged Call

Özlem Şanver told Posta that after the video of the assault circulated, Berhan Şimşek called her and said, "You know, my clientele increased, women like violence." Şimşek resigned from his roles as CHP deputy leader and MYK member on September 4, the day the footage spread. Şanver described the footage as "very heavy, very sad images" and said she felt ashamed while watching it.

The Dispute

Şanver said the argument began over her demand that Şimşek fire his driver, whom she described as entering their home daily with a key without knocking. She stated that she threw a plastic storage container toward the floor, not at Şimşek, and that it did not hit him. Şanver claimed Şimşek insulted her with profanity and that she had seen him speaking with the driver on camera, contradicting his denial. She alleged that Şimşek also verbally abused and threatened his new advisor Tayfun Güler, who then announced on social media that he would file a complaint with prosecutors.