28.08.2026 16:11
Tolga Akış, founder and manager of the Manifest group, has been arrested. In his first statement, Akış said the claim that members could not share advertisements independently from their own accounts was "partially true".
Tolga Akış, the founder and producer of the Manifest group, who was detained within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was referred to the court with a request for arrest. In the referral document, it was stated that Akış organized the group's concerts on various dates and was responsible for Manifest's activities.
REFERRED ON CHARGES OF OBSCENITY
In the referral document, it was assessed that some posts made within the scope of the group's activities reached wide audiences and that children could access this content without any filtering mechanism.
In the referral document, where it was stated that there was strong suspicion that Akış committed the crime of "obscenity," his arrest was requested considering the current state of evidence, the nature of the crime, and the upper limit of the penalty prescribed by law. Additionally, Akış's initial statements have also emerged, and he responded point by point to the allegations reflected in the press regarding the working conditions of Manifest members.
Akış, stating that the claim that group members could not independently make advertising agreements was not entirely false, used the expression "it is partially true."
"THE CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT MAKE ADVERTISED POSTS IS PARTIALLY TRUE"
Tolga Akış admitted that there are restrictions on Manifest members making independent advertised posts on their own accounts.
In his statement, Akış said, "The claim in the press that group members cannot independently make advertised posts on their own social media accounts is partially true. We introduced this to protect the project."
PENALTY CLAUSE FOR THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE CONTRACT
Stating that he does not remember the amount of the penalty clause, Akış said the applicable amount is determined according to the income of the group member.
Akış used the expressions, "Although I do not remember the figure, if group members act contrary to the contract, there is a certain penalty amount proportional to their income."
"THEY ARE NOT OBLIGED TO GO ON VACATION WITH ME"
There were also allegations that Manifest members were forced to go on vacation with Tolga Akış.
Akış rejected this claim and said that the photos and videos that came to the fore were taken during a one-day group vacation about 1.5 years ago.
Saying, "The claim in the press that group members have an obligation to go on vacation with me is also wrong," Akış argued that the images were not related to a mandatory vacation.
RESPONSE TO THE CLAIM OF BEING FORCED ON STAGE WHILE SICK
Another issue that stood out in Akış's statement was the claim that Manifest members were pressured to go on stage when they were sick.
Akiş also rejected this claim and cited an incident that occurred at the Yenikapı concert as an example.
Saying that a group member named Hilal wanted to return to the concert of her own free will, Akış stated that he did not bring Hilal back on stage without obtaining explicit approval from two doctors.
Akış said, "I also told Hilal many times that she does not have to go on stage if she doesn't want to."
60% OF THE INCOME GOES TO GROUP MEMBERS
Tolga Akış also explained Manifest's revenue sharing system. According to Akış's statement, 60% of the income obtained is distributed equally to Manifest members, while 40% is allocated for the company's Manifest project expenses.
"I DO NOT ACCEPT THE ALLEGATIONS"
At the end of his statement, Akış argued that he did not use his accounts to launder the proceeds of crime. Stating that he voluntarily handed over his phone password when he was detained, Akış claimed that his statements would be confirmed by examining his bank accounts and phone.
Saying, "I am innocent, I do not accept the allegations against me," Tolga Akış was referred to the court with a request for arrest.