24.07.2026 11:20
Famous journalists Özlem Gürses and Ruşen Çakır, among those to be consulted as witnesses in the investigation into the Ahbap Association, arrived at the courthouse to give their statements. Gürses said, 'The prosecutor wanted to consult our knowledge. We came to answer his questions.'
Journalist Özlem Gürses arrived at the Istanbul Justice Palace to testify as part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Ahbap Association.
"WE CAME TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS"
The investigation targeting the Ahbap Association, which led to the detention of 28 suspects including the association's founder Haluk Levent and social media influencer Oğuzhan Uğur, continues to deepen.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was learned yesterday that journalists Fatih Altaylı, Ruşen Çakır, and Özlem Gürses, along with comedian Şahan Gökbakar, actress Hazal Kaya, and social media influencer Fatih Koparan, would be called to give statements.
"WE CAME TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS"
The first of the six individuals summoned to testify arrived at the courthouse today: renowned journalist Özlem Gürses. When asked by journalists as she entered the prosecutor's office, Gürses said, "The prosecutor wanted to consult our knowledge. We came to answer his questions."
THEY WILL TESTIFY TODAY
According to information received, the other individuals summoned—journalists Fatih Altaylı and Ruşen Çakır, comedian Şahan Gökbakar, actress Hazal Kaya, and social media influencer Fatih Koparan—are expected to come to the courthouse and testify today.
FOUR MORE INDIVIDUALS GAVE STATEMENTS
Previously, as part of the investigation, renowned journalists Ece Üner and Fatih Portakal, singer Gökhan Özoğuz, host Öykü Serter, and lawyer Feyza Altun were also called to the prosecutor's office to give statements as witnesses. Yesterday, Ece Üner, Fatih Portakal, Gökhan Özoğuz, and Öykü Serter, accompanied by their lawyers, went to the Istanbul Courthouse and gave their statements.
ÖYKÜ SERTER: I DO NOT TRUST SUCH ASSOCIATIONS
In her statement to the prosecutor's office, Öykü Serter said, "I never directed or referred people to Ahbap or any other private aid organization. I do not personally know the individual named Haluk Levent. As a matter of principle, I prefer to deliver my donations directly to those in need. I recall that there were old news reports about Haluk Levent regarding fraud. Personally, I do not trust groups that engage in such aid activities. I have never had any personal relationship with Haluk Levent at any point in my life. I have had no commercial dealings or financial exchanges with him. Likewise, I have had no such relationship with the association named Ahbap. I have not conducted any aid activities through the Ahbap association."
ECE ÜNER: I FEEL DECEIVED
In her statement, Ece Üner said, "At that time, I shared posts saying 'Both AFAD and Ahbap are ours.' My aim in this statement was to give a message of unity and solidarity in the situation our country was in. I personally did not make any donations to the Ahbap Association. Likewise, my bank account transactions can be examined if deemed necessary. At this point, like other people, I have made posts on my social media account insisting that the source of the donations should be investigated transparently. As we learned from the press, if Haluk Levent used the aid money in this way, I also feel deceived. Had I known that Haluk Levent would use the collected aid money in this manner, I would not have made such a statement or broadcast in the first place."
FATİH PORTAKAL: I REGRET IT
Fatih Portakal said the following in his statement:
"The association you asked about was founded in 2017 and is viewed positively by the public. From its establishment until the February 6 earthquake, there were no judicial or administrative investigations against this association regarding violations of associations law or any other matter. During the earthquake period, to bring together people in need and those wishing to help, I mentioned that donations could be made to the Ahbap association, which stood out in these aid activities at that time. However, I also shared the needs lists published by state institutions AFAD and Kızılay in my programs.
I make my donations directly to those in need. There has been no commercial relationship or financial exchange between Haluk Levent and me. In my broadcasts, I made statements about Babala TV and Ahbap and featured these individuals, but my intention was to help deliver the collected aid to people. I did not have unlimited trust in these individuals. I made favorable statements about donating to the Ahbap association due to the sensitivity during the earthquake period and the fact that the association was seen as a reputable entity, and Haluk Levent was shown as the most trusted person in the country in surveys. I had no concrete information about where the collected funds were subsequently spent, and I did not feel the need to verify it under those circumstances. I am also angry at myself because I am generally a person who questions things. Given this, I regret trusting this association so much regarding the donations made to it at this stage."