12.07.2026 18:40
It emerged what detained Haluk Levent did with the money collected through the Ahbap Association, which was promised to be given to disaster victims after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. According to the statement by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was learned that the purchased properties were transferred to Levent's assistant Yeliz Kaya, then registered in the names of different suspects, and a $60 million fraud was carried out through this method.
Haluk Levent, the head of the Ahbap Association, was detained by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of 'Violation of the Associations Law', 'laundering of assets derived from crime', and 'membership in an organization' at the Bursa Mustafakemalpaşa location of the Istanbul-Izmir Highway.
HALUK LEVENT DETAINED
Following the devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş in 2023, artist Haluk Levent, who collected millions of dollars through the Ahbap Association, of which he is the board chairman, with the promise of building housing for earthquake victims, was found to have not kept his word, and what was done with this money has come to light.
In the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the investigation, a notable detail emerged. According to the Prosecutor's Office's statement, it was revealed that the funds collected with the promise of housing for earthquake victims caused a total of $60 million in damages.
"990 MILLION TL BET FROM THE AHBAP FOUNDER'S BANK ACCOUNT"
The statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included the following: "The investigation proceedings regarding the investigation numbered 2025/53115, which is being conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and concerns the claim that 'high amounts of money transfers were made to the accounts of some suspects in the name of the Ahbap Association,' have been deepened following an increase in allegations that earthquake donations were smuggled abroad and used for purposes other than their intended. Within the framework of the deepened investigation proceedings;
It was determined that Haluk Levent, the founder of the association, used the accounts of many suspects, one of which belonged to his assistant Yeliz Kaya; approximately 120 Million TL was transferred from the Ahbap Association to these accounts used by suspect Haluk Levent, including the personal account of suspect Yeliz Kaya; between 2020 and 2026, 990 Million TL was wagered on legal betting from the accounts of suspect Alper Çelik, one of the association's founders, also used by suspect Haluk Levent, and approximately 390 Million TL was lost; the fact that suspect Haluk Levent, who could not use personal bank accounts and whose checks used in commercial transactions bounced, engaged in betting of this volume increased suspicions; within the scope of the deepened investigation proceedings, an operation and arrest process was initiated after the suspect, who was subject to a travel ban, began preparations to flee abroad,
"HOUSES MEANT FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS WERE REGISTERED IN OTHERS' NAMES"
Additionally, within the scope of a separate investigation, it was found that the suspect, using the association's name and donation promise, purchased real estate from victims, but the properties transferred to Yeliz Kaya's personal name were later registered in the names of other suspects, causing approximately $60 million in damages,
There are serious indications that association accounts were emptied by transferring funds to promissory notes and personal accounts, and that properties belonging to the association were registered in the names of the suspects personally,
It has been determined that the donations of our sensitive citizens, who were under the negative and painful emotions created by the earthquake disaster of February 6, 2023 and wished to provide aid, were transferred to personal accounts by the suspects, used for betting, and transferred to third parties. The suspects have been detained."
UNDERWENT HEALTH CHECK
The first image of Levent has also arrived. Haluk Levent underwent a health check before his procedures at the police station.
HAD BEEN CONVICTED IN BOUNCED CHECK CASE
The detention order came shortly after Haluk Levent was tried in a bounced check case, which drew attention. In the case heard at the Istanbul Anatolia 24th Enforcement Criminal Court, Levent was convicted because two separate commercial checks he issued in 2025 bounced.
The court ruled that Haluk Levent be given a total judicial fine of approximately 70 million lira for the two checks, one amounting to 19 million 987 thousand lira and the other to 50 million 83 thousand lira. Additionally, Levent was banned from issuing checks and opening check accounts.
"FORGIVE ME" HE HAD SAID
Following the decision, Haluk Levent made a statement on his social media account, confirming the news and said: "Our own lawyer requested the installment decision regarding the check in question. Payments will be made in 24 monthly installments, there is no problem. After 25 years, I am again in the news due to a check. Forgive me."
IF THE PENALTY BECOMES FINAL, IMPRISONMENT MAY BE POSSIBLE
The court's decision has not yet become final. While Haluk Levent is expected to appeal the decision, the penalty will become final if the higher court upholds the local court's decision. If the final judicial fine is not paid, imprisonment proceedings may come into play as per relevant legislation.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the investigation regarding the detention order for Haluk Levent within the scope of the probe into the Ahbap Association continues.