New situations continue to occur within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the Friends Association.
In line with the investigation, an eye-catching post was made on the social media account of Haluk Levent, the founder and president of the association, who was detained in Bursa by the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Branch Directorate on charges of "opposition to the law on associations", "laundering assets resulting from crime" and "membership in a organisation".
According to the post, Levent, whose statement began to be taken at the police station at noon, did not continue to testify, claiming that his words were not recorded in the minutes. Levent used his right to remain silent, stating that he would not answer other questions.
On the other hand, while the interrogations of 22 suspects at the police station continued, the prosecutor's office ordered a new operation. In this context, an operation was organized in Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli and Muğla provinces by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch Directorate. 14 suspects were detained. Search, seizure and capture operations were carried out at the suspects' and 4 company addresses. Digital materials were also seized during the searches.
Answering the questions of journalists after the cabinet meeting, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said that although Haluk Levent had previously been given a 'ban on going abroad', he was sent to custody on Sunday after he attempted to escape.