Turkey's Ahbap NGO probe sparks legal and political controversy

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the parliamentary hearing on the Ahbap Association investigation, saying those who turned the February 6 earthquakes into a political and economic opportunity are now being held accountable. He criticised alleged misinformation campaigns and warned against attempts to pit the state against the public.

The investigation also involves the Turkish Chamber of Certified Public Accountants (TÜRMOB). Former TÜRMOB president Emre Kartaloğlu and other board members were detained and later arrested for publishing a report that promoted Ahbap’s aid work. Legal experts argue that TÜRMOB lacks statutory authority to audit the NGO, raising questions about the legitimacy of the prosecutions.