13.07.2026 14:11
After the investigation into AHBAP Association, Fatih Altaylı stated that he had repeatedly warned Haluk Levent about his past gambling addiction and demanded that the association share its financial reports with the public. Noting that the allegations in the investigation are very serious, Altaylı argued that not only Haluk Levent but also public institutions responsible for overseeing associations must be held accountable.
Journalist Fatih Altaylı made striking assessments in an article he wrote following the investigation launched into the AHBAP Association and the detention of its chairman, Haluk Levent. Reminding of his earlier warnings about Haluk Levent, Altaylı stated that this time he did not want to be right and expressed that the developments saddened him.
In his article, Altaylı recounted that he had previously told Haluk Levent he had heard rumors that he had relapsed into gambling addiction, and therefore requested a publicly accountable report on the financial structure of the AHBAP Association.
Stating that he demanded transparent disclosure of donations made to the association, Altaylı said there were no independent audit reports on the website. Altaylı reported that Haluk Levent had told him at the time that all donations were recorded and necessary audits would be conducted, but despite this, the expected explanations never came.
In his article, Altaylı also evaluated Haluk Levent's personality, claiming that it was known among his circle that the artist had been struggling with gambling addiction for many years. However, Altaylı noted that Levent also had a well-intentioned side that did not refrain from helping those in need, arguing that these two characters had been in conflict for years.
Altaylı said that on one side was Haluk Levent, whom he claimed suffered serious financial losses due to gambling and was dragged into debt, while on the other side was a name trying to rush to people's aid. He stated that for this reason, he had never fully trusted Haluk Levent.
REMINDED OF THE SCIENCE CAMPUS PROJECT
Altaylı recounted that in 2022, they conducted a television program with Haluk Levent as part of the Science and Technology Campus Project planned under the leadership of Turkish scientist Umut Yıldız, who worked at NASA.
Altaylı stated that within the project, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality would provide land and buildings, while the AHBAP Association would provide financial support. He said that during the program, they also talked about gambling addiction with Haluk Levent.
Altaylı noted that in that broadcast, Haluk Levent said he had completely quit gambling and gave his word on the matter, adding that at the time, he wanted to believe what the artist said.
REMINDED OF THE EARTHQUAKE PERIOD
Reminding that the AHBAP Association collected a large amount of donations after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, Altaylı stated that during a period when criticism of state institutions was intense, a significant portion of citizens made their donations through AHBAP.
Altaylı said he warned Haluk Levent many times during this process, claiming that in every meeting he received promises that independent audit reports would be published, but this never happened.
Altaylı stated that Haluk Levent later distanced himself from the public, and said he invited him to programs many times to publicly account for the donations, but these calls went unanswered.
"ALLEGATIONS ARE HORRIFYING"
In his article, Altaylı also touched on the investigation, stating that the allegations reflected in the public were extremely serious.
Noting that the accusations included claims that donated money disappeared, was used for gambling, and was transferred to personal accounts, Altaylı argued that if all these allegations turned out to be true, it would deeply shake public trust.
Stating that the allegations should be thoroughly investigated in the judicial process, Altaylı expressed that if Haluk Levent were found guilty, he would bear a great responsibility not only legally but also morally.
"NOT JUST HALUK LEVENT"
At the end of his article, Altaylı argued that not only Haluk Levent but also public institutions responsible for auditing associations should be questioned.
Reminding that the supervision of associations is the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations, Altaylı stated that why necessary audits were not conducted over the years should also be investigated.
Altaylı expressed that the responsibilities of public officials in the process should also be revealed, and stated that the investigation should not be limited only to association managers.