Turkey detains rock singer running charity over alleged misuse of earthquake donations

Hurriyet Daily NewsParty-alignedCenter7 hr. ago

Turkish prosecutors have expanded a corruption and money laundering investigation into the Ahbap Association, a charity founded by singer Haluk Levent. In a second phase of the probe, 17 additional suspects were detained across multiple cities, raising the total number of detainees to 39. The investigation centers on alleged misuse of charity funds, including inflated expenses for a music festival and unauthorized transfers of over 125.8 million Turkish Liras ($2.7 million). Authorities accuse Levent's brother, Berkant Acil, of securing a festival contract through a front company and diverting donations to personal accounts. The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) reported suspicious financial activities involving hundreds of millions of lira in transactions between 2020 and 2024. Ahbap became widely known for organizing donations following the devastating 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual developments in a legal investigation without overt ideological framing. While the subject involves high-profile figures and potential violations of laws, the reporting focuses on procedural actions by authorities rather than taking a clear partisan stance. The narrative

BianetIndependentCenteryesterday

Turkish police detained rock singer Haluk Levent and 16 others in connection with an investigation into alleged mismanagement of charity funds collected for earthquake victims. The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office alleges that donations meant for the Ahbap Association were funneled into personal accounts, including those of Levent’s assistant, Yeliz Kaya. Authorities claim around 120 million liras were transferred to Kaya’s account, while approximately 990 million liras were spent on legal betting between 2020 and 2026, resulting in losses of about 390 million liras. Levent, a former convicted fraudster, founded the Ahbap Association in 2017 to provide relief after the 2023 earthquakes, which killed over 50,000 people. His charity became a trusted alternative to state-run organizations amid public distrust of institutions like the Turkish Red Crescent. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of charitable activities in Turkey, where Levent has faced prior legal issues, including a 70 million-lira fine for issuing bad checks.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue involving a high-profile individual and potential corruption, it presents factual allegations without overtly endorsing or condemning any political stance. The focus remains on the legal and financial aspects of the case rather than taking a党