site.btaTurkish Pop Singer Haluk Levent Detained on Money Laundering Allegations

Turkish pop singer Haluk Levent has been detained as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into alleged violations of the Law on Associations, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization.

Levent gained widespread public recognition following the devastating earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaras on February 6, 2023, when he founded the Ahbap (Friend) association and organized a fundraising campaign that collected hundreds of millions of Turkish lira for earthquake victims.

According to a statement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation is based on allegations that donations raised after the earthquakes were transferred abroad illegally and used for purposes other than those intended.

Prosecutors allege that Levent used accounts belonging to multiple individuals to transfer funds collected through the campaign.

Turkish media reported that Levent was detained near Bursa while travelling in his vehicle. According to unconfirmed reports, he had intended to leave the country.

Police also searched the singer's home. State broadcaster TRT Haber reported that 18 members of the Ahbap association, Levent's assistant Yeliz Kaya, and lawyer Ece Guner were also detained as part of the investigation.

Investigators reportedly identified financial transactions worth approximately TRY 120 million (more than EUR 2.2 million) linked to the association. They also allege that accounts used by Levent and Ahbap co-founder Alper Celik were used to place legal bets worth TRY 990 million (about EUR 18.5 million) between 2020 and 2026, resulting in losses of approximately TRY 390 million (more than EUR 7.2 million).

Questioning of Levent and the other detainees is ongoing.

BTA notes that in 1997, Levent was convicted of issuing bad checks and served nine months and 15 days in prison.