24.07.2026 16:40
Journalist Fatih Altaylı, who testified as part of the investigation into the Ahbap Association, stated that he has had serious suspicions about Haluk Levent for a long time. Altaylı said that during the earthquake period, he made broadcasts supporting Ahbap within the atmosphere of trust that emerged, and he noted that he knows Levent as 'a gambler, someone who has been imprisoned for fraud, and associated with financial crimes.' In his testimony, Altaylı said, 'Now I see that I gave support he didn't deserve. I feel sadness, even regret.'
Journalist Fatih Altaylı gave his testimony as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Financial Crimes and Money Laundering Investigation Bureau into the Ahbap Association.
Altaylı was asked about his acquaintance with Haluk Levent, his publications about the Ahbap Association, his support for the association during the earthquake period, and whether he investigated the whereabouts of the collected funds.
In his testimony, Altaylı admitted that he had a negative opinion of Haluk Levent from the very beginning, yet still made favorable statements about the association during the disaster period.
“I KNEW HIM AS A GAMBLER”
Fatih Altaylı said he first met Haluk Levent in 2021 through a program he hosted. Stating that he knew Levent from his public persona, Altaylı shared his opinion about Levent.
Altaylı said of Levent, "I had a negative impression of him. I knew him as a gambler and a man who had been jailed for fraud. Frankly, I didn't trust him much."
TRUST BUILT DURING FOREST FIRES
Altaylı stated that his perception of Haluk Levent and Ahbap began to change during the forest fires in 2020, explaining that Ahbap participated in firefighting efforts by renting helicopters and planes, which created sympathy for the association in both himself and the public. He added that this atmosphere of trust continued after the February 6 earthquakes, and that despite his lingering suspicions, he may have made positive statements about Ahbap.
"HE CUT OFF CONTACT WITH ME AFTER MY CRITICISMS"
Altaylı stated that he argued Ahbap should be strictly audited due to Haluk Levent's past, noting that he wrote articles implying, "Haluk, you must not fail; you have to appear spotless like milk." Altaylı claimed that Levent cut off contact with him after these criticisms.
Saying that his calls went unanswered, Altaylı maintained that he continued to advocate on every platform for the association to be audited by independent bodies. According to Altaylı's account, Levent later sent him a message stating that they had undergone an audit and would account for every penny.
THE "YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, BROTHER" MESSAGE
Fatih Altaylı recounted that a few months ago, he wrote a new article stating that Ahbap had not provided an account. Noting that financial statements were not published on the website, Altaylı said he wrote that the association should be examined by international auditing firms and called on the Ministry of Interior to act.
Altaylı stated that Haluk Levent then sent him a message, describing its content as follows:
“You are absolutely right, brother. We underwent an audit about 10 months ago. We are regularly audited. After the audit, I will account for every single penny in live broadcasts. My word is my bond.”
Altaylı reported that he then told Levent he should work with major auditing firms and publish all financial data transparently.
HE DID NOT INVESTIGATE WHETHER AID REACHED ITS DESTINATION
Fatih Altaylı stated that he did not investigate whether the funds collected by Ahbap reached those in need. He explained that during the earthquake period, he was working at Habertürk and they tried to support everyone who was helping, and that he publicized Ahbap within this framework. However, he later said he did not investigate whether the collected donations reached the earthquake victims, adding that since he had left Habertürk, he had neither the authority nor the means to do so.
"WE MAY NOT HAVE FOLLOWED UP SUFFICIENTLY DUE TO THE INTENSE AGENDA"
Altaylı reminded that after the earthquake, Turkey went through both general and local election processes, and said that due to the busy agenda, they might not have followed the issue closely enough.
Stating that journalists do not have auditing authority, Altaylı noted that he fulfilled his duty by calling for audits in his articles and YouTube broadcasts.
"EVERY PERSON DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE"
Altaylı explained his support for Haluk Levent and Ahbap with the idea of a "second chance." Saying he was aware of the past allegations of gambling and financial crimes against Levent, Altaylı stated that he nevertheless believed anyone who came to people's aid should be supported.
He said he made broadcasts and social media posts with the understanding that "every person deserves a second chance." However, he admitted after the investigation that this approach was wrong.
"HALUK LEVENT DIDN'T CHANGE HIS WAYS"
The harshest assessment in Altaylı's testimony was the connection he drew between Haluk Levent's past and present. "In the subsequent process, we all saw together that Haluk Levent didn't change his ways," said Altaylı, adding that he followed the developments through the media like everyone else and was aware of what happened after the detention.
"I GAVE HIM SUPPORT HE DIDN'T DESERVE"
At the end of his testimony, Fatih Altaylı expressed regret, stating that he had made positive broadcasts about Ahbap during the earthquake period, but now sees that it was wrong. He said, "Now I see that I gave him support he didn't deserve. At this stage, I feel sadness, even regret, for having given Haluk Levent and the AHBAP Association support they never deserved."
He stated that he did not send any money to Ahbap or Haluk Levent, but nevertheless made supportive broadcasts and positive statements about Ahbap during the earthquake period. Altaylı also maintained that he opposed rhetoric targeting AFAD and the Red Crescent, saying he did not find it right to discredit these institutions.