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A Turkish court has appointed the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) as trustee to the Ahbap Association as part of an investigation into allegations that donations collected on behalf of the charity were transferred to suspects' accounts.
The investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuing after 28 suspects, including singer Haluk Levent, the founder of the association, were arrested.
As part of the investigation, prosecutors requested that all administrative powers over the association's assets be transferred to a management trustee.
The Istanbul 8th Criminal Judgeship of Peace accepted the request.
In its decision, the court said the association's activities had ended, measures had been imposed on its accounts and assets, and the dissolution process had been initiated.
The decision also said the association's subsidiaries were placed under trustee administration by the TMSF.
All administrative powers over the association's assets were transferred to the management trustee, according to the decision.
A Turkish court in mid-July ordered the arrest of Levent and 13 other suspects as part of the investigation into Ahbap Association.
Authorities allege that public donations raised by the aid group were diverted into personal bank accounts belonging to those running it.
The case is being led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and targets Levent alongside dozens of affiliates.
The initial operation, which included Levent among 17 suspects linked to Ahbap Association staff and members, took place July 12.
Nine additional suspects were detained as the investigation continued.
Ahbap is a humanitarian association in Türkiye founded by Levent and known for disaster relief and charitable fundraising campaigns.
Levent established Ahbap in 2017. The group rose to prominence through its nationwide volunteer network and aid efforts after the February 2023 earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye, which killed more than 53,500 people.
The investigation centers on allegations that funds collected in the association's name were diverted through personal and gambling accounts rather than used for their stated charitable purpose.
The allegations remain part of an ongoing investigation, and authorities have not issued a final court ruling on the merits of the case.
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