The sworn police testimony of Başaran Holding owner Hüseyin Başaran has emerged in connection with an ongoing investigation into the Ahbap Association, detailing a multi-billion-lira real estate transaction involving international aid funds and a Barter Pool system.
Hüseyin Başaran’s Sworn Testimony and the Real Estate Transactions
According to Hüseyin Başaran’s police statement, he first met Haluk Levent four years prior in Trabzon. In early February 2026, Levent visited the B-House construction site in Göktürk to inspect apartments and later discussed charitable projects, including girls’ dormitories, schools, and housing for earthquake victims. Başaran stated that Levent showed him photos and a video with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations community in America, claiming that international funds from America, the European Union, and the United Nations required real estate assets to be collected in a “Barter Pool.”
Başaran agreed to deferred payments for the properties based on Levent’s assertions that the funds would arrive in four to five months. On February 3, 2026, a protocol transferred four properties to Levent’s assistant, Yeliz Kaya, for a total of 602 million TL. Between February and the end of April 2026, Başaran sold a total of 22 properties to Yeliz Kaya for 2 billion 298 million 985 thousand 908 TL, though Başaran reported receiving only 151 million 680 thousand TL across four separate transactions. Başaran noted that Levent later used the name of his late daughter, Mina Başaran, on completed school and Ramazan tent projects to maintain trust.
Did You Know? Hüseyin Başaran stated in his testimony that he transferred Başaran Trabzon Çimentoya’s hazelnut factory to Yeliz Kaya for 7 million dollars, even though the normal asking price was 12 million dollars.
Discovery of Asset Transfers and Allegations of Coordinated Movement
As payment deadlines approached, Başaran stated that Haluk Levent became unreachable, citing meetings in America and later claiming to have stomach cancer. Upon investigating land registry records, Başaran discovered that the properties held by Yeliz Kaya had been transferred within one or two days to Esin Önder Çağlayan or her companies, Kanat Savunma and Globus Savunma, which subsequently applied for large loans and placed mortgages on all the properties. Başaran’s statement noted that three payments came from Yeliz Kaya, while the final payment originated from Globus Savunma, indicating to him that Kaya, Çağlayan, and Levent acted together.
Başaran denied making any donations to the Ahbap Association, maintaining that his personal earthquake relief efforts were conducted independently through his own company and by hosting disaster victims at his hotel for months. He confirmed filing criminal complaints and civil lawsuits requesting injunctions on the title deeds, declaring himself the victim of unpaid property sales.
Nejdet Kuy’s Statement on Container and Housing Contracts
Ahbap Association investigation detainee Nejdet Kuy also provided a separate sworn statement detailing steel construction contracts for earthquake zones. Kuy stated he was contacted by Cemil Yeşil regarding container needs and signed a contract with the endorsement of Yeşil’s partner, Aytaç Ağadağ, to deliver 800 containers at 65 thousand liras each. According to Kuy, he successfully delivered the 800 containers directly to the Disaster Coordination Center with official delivery reports and paid invoices, without initially meeting Haluk Levent.
Kuy later entered into a contract for 352 steel houses totaling 261 million 590 thousand liras, with a 50 percent advance payment of approximately 282 million liras distributed to contractors. Kuy testified that Cemil Yeşil and Aytaç Ağadağ approached him requesting loans for Haluk Levent out of the project funds. Kuy stated he transferred 55 million liras to Yeşil’s company, CY Motor, and handed over 15 million liras in cash. After receiving video calls from a number used by Haluk Levent and communicating with assistant Yeliz Kaya, Kuy ultimately completed numerous containers, 56 houses, four schools, and a youth center, receiving a total of 117 million liras in earnings while asserting he never took an unearned penny from the association.
Legal Status and Subsequent Judicial Actions
Following the completion of the prosecutor’s interrogation phase, seven suspects were referred to the duty criminal judgeship with a request for arrest. The court ordered the formal arrest of Deniz Şimşek, Hüseyin Başaran, Ayhan Çevik, Murat Yaren, Nejdet Kuy, Emin Arat, and Muhammet Ali Yılmaz. Meanwhile, six other individuals—Ali Demirhan, Orhan İnan, Faruk Koç, Emre Saral, Recep Demir, and Ayhan Demir—were released under judicial control conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total value of the properties sold by Hüseyin Başaran?
According to Hüseyin Başaran’s statement, 22 properties were sold for a total agreement amount of 2 billion 298 million 985 thousand 908 TL, with 151 million 680 thousand TL received in payments.
Who were the suspects arrested in the Ahbap Association investigation?
The court ordered the arrest of Deniz Şimşek, Hüseyin Başaran, Ayhan Çevik, Murat Yaren, Nejdet Kuy, Emin Arat, and Muhammet Ali Yılmaz.
How many containers and homes did Nejdet Kuy deliver to the earthquake region?
Nejdet Kuy stated that he delivered numerous containers, 56 houses, four schools, and a youth center.