Turkish Police Detain 23 in Charity Probe; Rock Star Haluk Levent’s Partner Oğuzhan Uğur Among Those Held
Turkish authorities have detained 23 people, including Oğuzhan Uğur, a close associate of famous rock musician Haluk Levent, in an investigation into the AHBAP aid organization, with Levent claiming he was silenced during questioning.
The investigation targets AHBAP Derneği, a well-known Turkish charity founded by Levent that provides disaster relief and social aid [197390]. Among those detained is Oğuzhan Uğur, who is currently being held at a police station where official procedures are ongoing [200708]. Uğur’s father, Hasan Atilla Uğur, has spoken publicly about his son’s arrest but did not provide details on specific charges [200708].
Haluk Levent stated through his lawyer that he was not allowed to speak during his police questioning [197390]. His lawyer also alleged that a specific statement made by Levent—mentioning former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu—was deliberately omitted from the official record [197390]. The lawyer did not provide further details on the content of that statement [197390].
All 23 detainees have been transferred to the courthouse for further legal proceedings [197390]. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific allegations against the suspects [197390].
The arrests come amid broader concerns about legal risks in Turkey, where criticizing the government can lead to detention, arrest, asset seizure, and years in prison [200707]. Those accused often wait months for an indictment, and even the right to appear in court can be revoked [200707].