19.07.2026 08:10
The father of Oğuzhan Uğur, founder of Babala TV, who was detained as part of the investigation into the AHBAP Association, retired Gendarmerie Colonel Hasan Atilla Uğur, made statements about the process. Stating that he trusts his son, Uğur said, "Our heads are held high, our foreheads are clear. After all, we didn't eat anything sour to have a stomachache. We expect him to join us as soon as possible."
In the investigation alleging that donations collected on behalf of AHBAP Association were transferred to the personal accounts of its managers, a new development has occurred. As part of the investigation, Babala TV founder Oğuzhan Uğur was taken into custody, while his father, retired Colonel Hasan Atilla Uğur, spoke for the first time, stating that he trusts his son.
In the investigation targeting AHBAP Association, chaired by Haluk Levent, Babala TV founder and owner Oğuzhan Uğur was taken into custody at his home the day before yesterday.
It was also noteworthy that images related to the moments of Oğuzhan Uğur's detention—son of retired Gendarmerie Intelligence Colonel Hasan Atilla Uğur, who questioned Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island—were shared with the public.
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that large amounts of foreign currency were transferred to Babala TV's bank account from abroad. It was indicated that the private bank where the transactions took place reported to the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) as a suspicious transaction notification, and following this development, the detention was carried out.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM HIS FATHER
Oğuzhan Uğur's father, retired Colonel Hasan Atilla Uğur, made statements regarding the ongoing process. Emphasizing his trust in his son, Hasan Atilla Uğur said: "We hold our heads high, with clear consciences. We have nothing troubling. While it was said that my son would be detained and his home searched at his residence, these were recorded and later leaked to the press in some way. Unfortunately, we have become accustomed to such negativity. These actions in the country are not directed only at us. They happen to many journalist friends and everyone. In the end, we didn't eat anything sour to cause stomach pain. Regarding my son, the procedure is ongoing. Our lawyer is already with him. We are also following the developments. We expect him to rejoin us as soon as possible."
WHO IS HASAN ATİLLA UĞUR?
Hasan Atilla Uğur is a retired Gendarmerie Staff Colonel who served in the Turkish Armed Forces for many years. Known particularly for his work in counter-terrorism, Uğur became publicly recognized as one of the figures involved in the initial interrogation process at İmralı F-Type High Security Prison following the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in Kenya in 1999.
Detained in 2008 as part of the Ergenekon investigation, Hasan Atilla Uğur was arrested in the "Ergenekon armed terrorist organization" case and spent approximately 5 years in prison. He was released in 2014 after the retrial process began. Following the 16th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation's overturning of the convictions in the Ergenekon case in 2016, he was acquitted in the subsequent trials. Throughout the process, Uğur denied the charges against him and argued that the Ergenekon investigation was fabricated by FETÖ members.
After retirement, Hasan Atilla Uğur participated in various television programs to provide assessments on security policies, counter-terrorism, and foreign policy, as well as giving conferences and talks. Recently, he has come back into the spotlight as the father of Babala TV founder Oğuzhan Uğur and following his statements after his son's detention.