Haluk Levent faces probe over alleged disaster‑fund misuse and attempted escape to Greek islands

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said that the Ahbap Association collected roughly 245 million USD (about 4.3 billion TL) in aid after the February 6 earthquakes. MASAK reports showed billions of lira transferred from Ahbap to the account of Yeliz Kaya – who has no official role in the charity – and then onward to singer‑entrepreneur Haluk Levent. Gürlek alleged that Levent used part of the money for gambling and that the funds were moved through a network of companies, including those linked to his half‑brother Berkant Acil and the Koşan Adam firm.

Gürlek also claimed Levent tried to flee Turkey: “Haluk Levent kaçma girişimindeydi ve panikle yurt dışına çıkmak için harekete geçti… İzmir’den tekneyle Yunan adalarına kaçacaktı.” Authorities intercepted him after he learned of a travel ban and turned off his phone. The probe, which began with the arrest of Levent’s brother during a Şile municipality corruption investigation, has expanded to examine alleged fake invoicing and a 38‑million‑TL payment scheme for the 35th International Şile Bezi Festival, where the official contractor Sur Müzik was reportedly a front for Koşan Adam.

The minister warned that the investigation could widen further, citing “inanılmaz borç senetleri” and the use of disaster aid for gambling, and noted that dozens of people have lodged complaints against Levent.