Fatih Portakal's testimony in the Ahbap investigation revealed
Fatih Portakal, who gave testimony for approximately 1.5 hours at the Çağlayan Courthouse, said regarding Ahbap, "We could have questioned it more."
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Journalist Fatih Portakal provided his testimony as part of the "Ahbap Criminal Organization" investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Portakal, who arrived at the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan, left the courthouse after his proceedings, which lasted approximately 1.5 hours, were completed at the prosecutor's office.
In a statement made upon leaving, Portakal evaluated his past contact with the Ahbap Association and the allegations that have come to light within the scope of the investigation. Stating that the association appeared reliable under 2023 conditions, Portakal said that the picture that has emerged today is saddening.
Portakal stated, "I said that I regret it," and added, "We could have questioned it more, but I am angry at myself because these people exploited our good intentions." The journalist also noted that he had only spoken with the association a few times and had engaged in conversations with them during that period.
It had previously been announced that the testimonies of Ece Üner, Fatih Portakal, Feyza Altun, Gökhan Özoğuz, and Öykü Serter would be taken as part of the investigation.
In the work carried out by the teams of the Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Financial Crimes Branch under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an investigation was conducted regarding accusations of "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "qualified fraud," and "laundering assets derived from crime."
It was reported that within the scope of the file, MASAK reports, account movements, and technical and physical surveillance studies regarding Ahbap Association employees were evaluated; and that money movements incompatible with the suspects' financial profiles, high-amount transfers, transfers to gambling accounts, and title deed transfers made in a short period were examined.
Of the 54 suspects detained within the scope of the investigation, 28 people, including Ahbap Association founder Haluk Levent and Oğuzhan Uğur, were arrested. The assets of the association and some suspects were also seized.