Major backlash against Haluk Levent from his hometown

The investigation launched into the Ahbap Association, which stood out for its relief activities following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, is ongoing.

It has been reported that 18 people, including Association President Haluk Levent, have been arrested so far as part of the investigation.

It was stated that some individuals whose testimonies were taken within the scope of the file made allegations that they were victimized by Haluk Levent.

CITIZENS IN HIS HOMETOWN OF ADANA SHARED THEIR VIEWS

Following the widespread public reaction to the investigation, citizens in Haluk Levent's hometown of Adana also made assessments regarding the matter.

Veysel Sözal, who said he donated to the Ahbap Association during the earthquake period, described the process he experienced with these words:

"He gained people's trust by providing aid. During the earthquake, his aid touched people's emotions, and we were deceived. There were those who gave their last money. There were those who had a lot and gave a little, and those who had little and gave a lot. I gave 85 percent of my salary at that time. What I gave remained as charity."

"WE DO NOT KNOW IF THOSE DONATIONS REACHED THEIR DESTINATION"

Onur Fırat, one of the citizens, stated that he was saddened by the developments and expressed the following:

"We were very saddened by the news. People can no longer trust each other. We do not know if those donation funds actually reached the people in need or not. I hope there is no such thing. I had donated clothing at that time. If an artist does this, what should the public do? Haluk Levent had emerged as one of the most trusted people in recent polls."

"AS AN ADANA NATIVE, I FELT DISAPPOINTED"

Bedir Yıldırım also stated in his assessment of the investigation that Haluk Levent caused him disappointment.

Yıldırım said, "As an Adana native, he disappointed me. I appreciated his art. He has done himself a disservice. My trust in such people has been greatly shaken."

Sabit Ay stated that he had loved Haluk Levent since his childhood, adding that he did not make a donation during the earthquake period but felt saddened by the developments regarding the investigation.

WHAT CHARGES IS THE INVESTIGATION BASED ON?

It was stated that the investigation into the Ahbap Association is being conducted under the charges of "opposition to the Law on Associations," "laundering of assets derived from crime," and "membership in an organization."

It was announced that Haluk Levent was detained in Bursa as part of the investigation.

WHAT ALLEGATIONS WERE INCLUDED IN THE PROSECUTOR'S STATEMENT?

In the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that there were allegations that donations made to the association after the February 6 earthquakes were transferred to personal accounts, used in betting activities, and sent to third parties.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the operation decision was taken upon the assessment that Haluk Levent, who is subject to a travel ban, was preparing to flee abroad.

The statement also included the allegation that a money transfer of approximately 120 million liras from the association to the accounts of Haluk Levent's assistant, Yeliz Kaya, was detected, that some real estate acquired in Kaya's name was later transferred to different individuals, and that a victimization of 60 million dollars occurred during this process.

ALLEGATIONS OF BETTING AND MONEY FLOW INCLUDED IN THE FILE

According to the allegations in the investigation file, it was claimed that 990 million liras worth of legal bets were placed between 2020 and 2026 through the accounts of Alper Çelik, one of the founders of the Ahbap Association, and that a loss of approximately 390 million liras occurred as a result of these transactions.

SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION CONDUCTED AGAINST 21 PEOPLE

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Financial Crimes Branch carried out an operation on July 12, 2026, under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

In the operation, 21 people considered to be connected to Ahbap Association members and association employees were detained.

Lawyer Ece Güner, who was mentioned in the money movements within the scope of the investigation, was also among those detained.

News Source: 12punto