Were AFAD beds used in a massage parlor used for prostitution? Statement from the Governor's Office

In Hatay, where the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes caused massive destruction, it had been alleged that aid sent for earthquake victims was being used for purposes other than intended.

In the incident brought to light by Cumhuriyet columnist Murat Ağırel, it was among the allegations that beds, blankets, and other materials that should have been distributed to earthquake victims by AFAD were being used in a massage parlor in Hatay's Altınözü district where prostitution was taking place.

The statement from the Hatay Governor's Office included the following: "During the administrative inspection and judicial search conducted by our Governor's Office at the massage parlor that is the subject of the reports, no materials belonging to AFAD were found. The allegations in the reports are baseless and do not reflect the truth. Search and seizure operations were carried out at the workplace, residence, warehouse, and container belonging to the public official named A.Z., who is the subject of the reports and against whom an investigation for embezzlement has been initiated. The seized materials were handed over to personnel assigned by the AFAD Provincial Directorate. It is announced that the individual in question has been suspended from duty and that administrative and judicial investigations regarding them are ongoing."