Levent's Driver Details Alleged Financial Scheme in Testimony

İlker Çetin, the driver for musician and Ahbap Association head Haluk Levent, has provided a statement to prosecutors investigating the charity. Çetin detailed how he allegedly facilitated substantial financial transactions on Levent's behalf, claiming Levent did not possess his own bank accounts or credit cards.

According to Çetin's testimony, money intended for various recipients was deposited into his personal account. He then transferred these funds to accounts designated by Levent, acting solely on instructions received via WhatsApp. Çetin also alleged that Levent utilized other individuals' accounts, including those belonging to Emrah Gödeliner, Zafer Yay, and Yeliz Kaya, asserting he personally gained no benefit from these movements.

MASAK, Turkey's financial crimes investigation board, reportedly examined account activities showing over 10 million lira transferred from Yeliz Kaya's accounts to Çetin's between January 2024 and April 2026. Conversely, Çetin's accounts transferred more than 210 million lira to Kaya's in 45 separate transactions during the same period. When questioned about these significant transfers, Çetin reiterated that they were executed under Levent's directives, stating he was unaware of the funds' origin or purpose.

Çetin further claimed to have personally transported large sums of cash in Ankara, depositing them into Yeliz Kaya's bank account after receiving locations from Levent. He stated he carried out these actions out of fear of losing his job, despite feeling uneasy about the transactions. To preserve evidence, Çetin saved all relevant WhatsApp correspondence, which he provided to the police along with his password-protected phone. The driver's statement also touched upon alleged gambling transactions in Cyprus involving 1-2 million lira.