18.06.2026 20:00
AHBAP Association founder and famous artist Haluk Levent, who was sentenced to 70 million TL in judicial fines in a case where two separate checks he issued in 2025 were returned unpaid, has made a statement. Accepting the allegation, Levent said, "Our own lawyer requested the installment decision regarding the check in question. Payments will be made in 24 installments, there is no problem. After 25 years, I am back in the news due to a check. Forgive me."
Artist and AHBAP Association founder Haluk Levent was convicted in a case where two separate commercial checks he issued in 2025 bounced. In the verdict hearing of the case heard at the Istanbul Anatolia 24th Enforcement Criminal Court, the court imposed a total judicial fine of approximately 70 million TL on Levent, and also imposed a ban on issuing checks and opening check accounts.
"FORGIVE ME"
In a statement on his social media account after the verdict, Haluk Levent confirmed the news and clarified the details of the case. Levent said: "Our own lawyer requested the installment decision regarding the check in question. Payments will be made in 24 installments, there is no problem. After 25 years, I came to the agenda with a check again. Forgive me."
TWO SEPARATE CHECKS ALSO BOUNCED
The verdict was announced in the fifth hearing of Haluk Levent's case, where he faced the judge following complaints from creditors due to two large-amount checks he issued last year bouncing. The court panel, examining the existing evidence in the file, ruled that criminal elements were present in both transactions.
Details of the bounced checks subject to the case are as follows:
Check dated May 20, 2025: 19 million 987 thousand TL
Check dated June 30, 2025: 50 million 83 thousand TL
BOTH A MASSIVE FINE AND A COMMERCIAL BAN
The Istanbul Anatolia 24th Enforcement Criminal Court decided to impose a judicial fine of 70 million TL, the total amount of the two checks. The sole blow from the trial was not this massive fine; the court also completely banned Haluk Levent from issuing new checks and opening new check accounts.
IF HE DOESN'T PAY, HE WILL GO TO PRISON
This record fine imposed by the local court does not mean that Haluk Levent will immediately go to prison or pay this amount right away. For the verdict to become legally enforceable, the appeals stage must first be completed. It was learned that the famous artist will object to the decision and take the case to a higher court. If the Court of Appeals upholds this decision of the local court, the penalty will become final. After the penalty is finalized, Haluk Levent will be offered options for payment terms and installments to pay the amount. If the artist does not pay the finalized judicial fine, he will be sent to prison as required by law.