24.07.2026 13:40
The testimony of journalist Ruşen Çakır, who gave a statement as part of the investigation into the Ahbap Association, has emerged. Çakır stated that he learned through the investigation that the donation funds were used for personal purposes, and regarding his reporting at the time, he said, 'It is entirely a situation assessment. I do not feel any responsibility.' Çakır described the events as 'truly very sad.'
Journalist Ruşen Çakır's statement was taken as part of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Ahbap Association.
The investigation, which targets the Ahbap Association and has led to the detention of 28 suspects, including the association's founder Haluk Levent and social media influencer Oğuzhan Uğur, continues with statements from journalists and celebrities.
Journalist Ruşen Çakır, who came to the Istanbul Courthouse to give a statement as a witness summoned by the prosecutor's office, testified before the prosecutor.
"MY REPORT WAS A SITUATION ASSESSMENT"
Ruşen Çakır stated that he does not personally know Haluk Levent and only knows him as a citizen due to his status as an artist, saying, "The news article included in the investigation is accurate and belongs to me. I had written it. This article I wrote was entirely due to the sorrow caused by the earthquake at that time and because our colleagues in the earthquake zone informed us that the Ahbap Association provided significant aid to the earthquake victims, so I reported it accordingly. I did not assist in any fundraising efforts. The news was purely a situation assessment under those circumstances. Personally and through my family, I made a very modest donation to the Ahbap Association to be sent to the earthquake zone."
"I DO NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE"
Çakır claimed that he never met with Levent in any way, adding, "If the prosecutor's office deems it necessary, they can examine my HTS records. I did not participate in any other organization run by the person named Haluk Levent. That news was based on information from our colleagues in the earthquake zone who reported that organizations like Kızılay and AFAD were insufficient, while the Ahbap Association functionally carried out its aid duties very effectively. As I stated above, it was entirely a situation assessment. I do not feel any responsibility."
"THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSOCIATION AT THAT TIME"
Ruşen Çakır, who said he has been a journalist for 41 years, noted that he did not gain increased popularity through Ahbap, as he was already a well-known figure. Çakır also stated that he did not obtain any financial gain through the Ahbap Association, saying, "I never met the person named Haluk Levent in any way. I wrote in the news that the activities of the Ahbap Association were appropriate, which is true. I stated this in my testimony. I made this news entirely based on the information conveyed to us by our journalist colleagues in the earthquake zones. I have no means to verify whether the aid was actually delivered. If an investigation had been opened into the Ahbap Association at that time, I would have also reported on that investigation, just like the news that is the subject of this investigation."
HE WROTE THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS GOOD AT PROVIDING AID FOR THAT REASON
Çakır argued that his report did not insult any state institution, stating that based on information from his colleagues in the earthquake zone, he wrote that the Ahbap Association was effective in providing aid. He denied suggesting that people should not trust the state or its institutions, insisting that the news was not a directive but a situation assessment, and that his report on the association was solely aimed at helping people in the region overcome their difficult circumstances as quickly as possible.
"VERY SAD"
Ruşen Çakır, who said he did not go to the earthquake zone but continuously received information from his friends there and, guided by them, fulfilled his journalistic duty by reporting to inform the public, stated:
"I have no connection whatsoever with Haluk Levent or this association. The February 6 earthquake was a situation that put all individuals, as a country and nation, in difficulty. Everything we did in the name of humanity was purely aimed at being somewhat helpful to the people suffering in the earthquake zone. As a result of these investigations, I have learned that funds intended to be distributed as aid to victims by the Ahbap Association were used for personal reasons. It is truly very sad for an association to act this way. As a citizen of the Republic of Turkey and as a journalist, it has saddened me. I also donated to this association. I hope that those who are guilty will be punished as soon as possible."