Effective remorse statement from Haluk Levent's assistant! They placed 190 million in bets

The statement given to the police by Alper Çelik, one of the founders of the association, who was detained while performing a transaction at a notary and subsequently arrested by the duty magistrate, has been obtained as part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Stating that he wished to benefit from the provisions of effective remorse, Çelik testified at the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch, explaining that he is a musician, works in advertising, and has a monthly income of 30 thousand liras.

Noting that he has been with Haluk Levent for approximately 20 years, Çelik stated that his insurance was paid by Artar Production, that he did not receive a regular salary, but that he received pocket money from Levent during concert periods. He also noted that he has accounts and credit cards at four different banks.

"HE WAS USING MY BANK ACCOUNTS"

Çelik alleged that Haluk Levent's bank accounts were blocked, and for this reason, he allowed Levent to use his own bank accounts.

Explaining that he had placed bets in the past, Çelik stated that he had betting accounts opened under different usernames and claimed that Levent also placed bets through these accounts.

"Haluk Levent would send money to me, and I would send it to the betting site's account; he would play himself. He would often tell me, I would deposit the money, and I would place bets on the matches Levent specified."

Çelik also claimed that the founder of the Ahbap Association was Haluk Levent, that he took part in the establishment process upon Levent's call, and that he left the association in 2021.

MONEY TRAFFIC IN ACCOUNTS QUESTIONED

Stating that there was a brotherly relationship between him and Levent, Çelik used the following expressions:

"I do things when he is busy. He uses my accounts. He makes his payments using my accounts. He also plays on most betting sites through my accounts."

As part of the investigation, it was determined that a total of 138 million 593 thousand 208 liras were sent to Çelik's account by the arrested suspect Zafer Yay in 1359 transactions, and 24 million 352 thousand 763 liras were transferred from Çelik's account to Yay in 213 transactions.

When asked about these transfers, Çelik said, "These transfers were made under Levent's instructions. This money generally went to betting, stock market, or debt payments."

BETTING AND STOCK MARKET ALLEGATION

High-volume money movements involving the arrested suspect Yeliz Kaya and some other individuals were also asked to Çelik.

Upon being told that the transaction volume in his accounts was inconsistent with his financial situation, Çelik stated, "This money came and went under Haluk Levent's instructions. These, such as those written as 'Ahbap debt' etc., also caught my attention. When I asked him about this, he said, 'These are debts I received from people I know, my friends; they have been repaid.' He used this money for payments, betting, the stock market, and gambling."

190 MILLION LIRA BETTING ALLEGATION

According to the investigation file, it was determined that a total of 89 million 90 thousand 663 liras were sent to Çelik's account from Elektronik Şans Oyunları ve Yayıncılık AŞ in 1894 transactions, and 279 million 367 thousand 817 liras were transferred from Çelik's account in 6 thousand 126 transactions.

While it was stated that it was determined that 190 million 270 thousand liras were wagered and lost, when asked about the source of this money, Çelik said, "Levent said he played this money by borrowing it. I deposited the money under Levent's instructions; all the bets placed belong to Levent."

Regarding the 3 million 47 thousand 567 liras transferred in 9 transactions to the accounts of Merit Kıbrıs Turizm Limited, Çelik defended himself by saying, "When Levent went to Cyprus, he would ask me to deposit money into this account, and I would deposit it. I have no information about why I deposited it."

"HE HAS VICTIMIZED ME MATERIALLY AND MORALLY"

Explaining his experiences in his statement, Çelik said:

"I have been very victimized in this regard. I have been with Levent for 20 years and I know him. He is one of the reasons I use anxiety and depression medication. Because when his creditors could not reach him, they would call me, and I was subjected to their pressure and coercion. I was even beaten by others one day over debt transactions. So many things hurt a person. Every time, I was kept waiting by being told, 'I will help you, I will set up your life.' I think Levent's debts are due to gambling.

He sent me to the Grand Bazaar 1-2 times; I gave the names of people whose names I don't remember from a shop, and since they were familiar with the matter, they would give foreign currency or cash. I would put this money into the account, invest some of it in the stock market, and some in betting. I used the remaining money for payments. I gave the password of my phone to the police. Within 1 month, Levent called me and asked me to change my phone and number. At first, I was scared, I didn't know what to do; my circle warned me and said, 'You do the right thing.' He has victimized me materially and morally; I am innocent."

HE ALSO EXPLAINED HIS STATEMENT TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

In his statement to the prosecutor's office, Çelik alleged that he carried out bank transactions under Levent's instructions and spoke as follows:

"He would usually write to me, 'Place a coupon on these matches.' And I would play as he said. Sometimes he would log into my Nesine account and play himself, but since he didn't want to deal with it, he would always tell me. Indeed, we lost as much money as was stated."

Arguing that he had no knowledge of the financial operations of the Ahbap Association, Çelik said he did not know whether the association's accounts were used by Levent.

"It is impossible for me to know the money outflows there and the conditions for them. I also do not know whether Haluk Levent used the association's accounts himself. I only asked him whether the money was association money regarding these stock market and betting games. He told me that such a thing was never the case, that he played the stock market and betting with debts he received from his friends, and that he had notified the banks that the transactions in the accounts were made for his own account and that there would be no problem. He continued to use my accounts until 2-3 months ago in this way. I even lent him money; I am a creditor to him. I have neither information nor involvement regarding the association. I also stated this at the law enforcement stage; I want to benefit from effective remorse."

Çelik also alleged that there were some products rotting in the warehouses belonging to the association and that these materials were not delivered to those in need.