What’s Happening with İmamoğlu’s Diploma? Why and How the Erdoğan Government May Annul It
Here`s extensive info about the debates surrounding İmamoğlu's diploma. Some media figures, acting as Erdoğan's proxies, claimed the university make a decision to revoke the diploma by past Monday.
There are multiple investigations and legal cases involving Ekrem İmamoğlu, but one stands out as particularly absurd. The Erdoğan government is exerting pressure on Istanbul University to revoke İmamoğlu’s diploma. This is because, in Turkey, completing university is a constitutional requirement for anyone who wants to run for president. Political rumors suggest that the dean of the faculty initially rejected this unlawful request, but eventually resigned after being unable to withstand the pressure.
Below, I’m sharing an article that provides a brief overview of the issue. Right underneath, you'll find a translation of another news report with more details, along with an additional article covering the latest developments.
Erdogan’s Strongest Rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, May Be Denied Presidential Candidacy
Turkish authorities are investigating whether Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu forged his diploma, with Istanbul University expected to revoke his degree by March 17, 2025. Imamoglu faces charges of document forgery, based on a report from the Turkish Council of Higher Education, which claims his 1990 transfer to Istanbul University was illegal. If his diploma is revoked, Imamoglu would be disqualified from running for president, as a higher education degree is a requirement. He is also facing several trials and potential prison sentences. Despite these challenges, Imamoglu remains determined, stating that he is not afraid and will focus on the upcoming elections, calling for a fair contest with President Erdogan.
You can read the full article or watch Atilla Yesilada's commentary using the link below.
Source: Erdogan’s Strongest Rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, May Be Denied Presidential Candidacy
You can read the translation of the news article by Ayşe Sayın, published on BBC Türkçe on March 15, 2025, and a detailed analysis of the developments surrounding İmamoğlu's diploma below.
What is known about the investigation into İmamoğlu’s diploma?
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuing its investigation into claims that Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s university diploma is fake.
Some media outlets have reported that İmamoğlu’s diploma could be revoked before the primary elections.
Addressing these allegations in a speech in Ankara on Saturday, March 15, İmamoğlu responded:
“Do you know what their only concern is? First, they want to get rid of İmamoğlu before the March 23 primary. Their dream is to set up a conspiracy with baseless claims. Just like they used to do, they think they can pull some so-called organization out of their bag of tricks.”
“Some have lost their minds to the point of destabilizing the country. They are even talking about imprisoning İmamoğlu. These ideas are being published in opinion pieces. Supposedly, Ekrem İmamoğlu will be eliminated from the game. This is not a banana republic! Cowardice has no place on these lands!”
İmamoğlu graduated from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Business Administration, English Department, in 1994. We have compiled details of the investigation into his diploma, the events surrounding it, and the potential consequences.
How Did the Diploma Controversy Start?
Allegations that Ekrem İmamoğlu’s diploma was “fake” first emerged after he was elected Mayor of Istanbul in the 2019 local elections.
On February 15, 2020, a petition submitted to Turkey’s Presidential Communication Center (CİMER) claimed that İmamoğlu had unlawfully transferred from Girne American University (GAÜ) to Istanbul University in 1990.
In response, Istanbul University stated that İmamoğlu had applied through the university’s officially announced international transfer quota and that his application was evaluated and approved in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Why Has the Debate Reignited?
The controversy flared up again after another petition filed with CİMER in September 2024 was forwarded to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which then referred it to Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
Critics argue that in 1990—when İmamoğlu transferred—YÖK did not officially recognize Girne American University, implying that his diploma is invalid.
Shortly after this claim gained traction, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s fact-checking account shared an image of İmamoğlu’s diploma, proving he graduated from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Business Administration in 1994, refuting the allegations.
When Did İmamoğlu Transfer Universities?
According to his lawyers, Ekrem İmamoğlu enrolled in the English Business Administration program at Girne American University (GAÜ) on September 5, 1988.
After completing the preparatory year and his first year, he applied for a transfer to Istanbul University on August 29 in response to an official announcement from the university.
His lawyers state that Istanbul University's Administrative Board approved his transfer to the Faculty of Business Administration (English Department), as he met the required GPA and application deadline criteria.
İmamoğlu graduated from Istanbul University in 1994.
What Is the Investigation About?
On February 22, 2025, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into Ekrem İmamoğlu on charges of “forgery in an official document.”
The investigation is based on a report by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Supervisory Board, dated February 17, 2025.
The report acknowledges that İmamoğlu met the transfer criteria at the time but points out that GAÜ was not recognized by YÖK in 1990.
Additionally, the report cites a 1993-1994 YÖK decision, which stated that Turkish citizens who did not pass the ÖSYM university entrance exam would not have their degrees from Girne American University recognized.
In response, İmamoğlu’s lawyers have filed a criminal complaint against those who prepared the report, accusing them of abuse of power, defamation, and attempting to interfere with a fair trial.
How Do İmamoğlu’s Lawyers Respond to the Allegations?
İmamoğlu’s lawyers argue that the Higher Education Council’s (YÖK) decision not to recognize GAÜ (Girne American University) in 1990 did not prevent a transfer to another university and did not create an issue of diploma equivalency.
Speaking to “BBC Turkish”, İmamoğlu’s lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan stated that they have shared documents with the public showing that individuals who graduated from GAÜ in 1991 and 1992 were also granted equivalency.
Pehlivan questioned the basis of the allegations:
“If it was truly impossible to transfer from an unrecognized university, then why were these individuals granted equivalency? This clearly shows that recognition was not a requirement for either transferring or obtaining equivalency.”
He also pointed out a key inconsistency in YÖK’s report, arguing that it does not cite any specific legal regulation that mandates recognition for university transfers:
“This is because the regulations regarding university recognition were introduced for the first time in 1996. However, even in the regulations enacted at that time, there was no clause stating that transfers from unrecognized universities were prohibited.”
“It wasn’t until 2010 that the regulations changed to explicitly state that students from unrecognized universities could not transfer.”
What Did İmamoğlu Say in His Defense?
Ekrem İmamoğlu gave his statement at the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on March 5.
According to reports in the media, İmamoğlu criticized the report prepared against him, stating, “The ones who should be giving a statement here today are those who wrote that report.”
What Did the Prosecutor’s Office Request from Istanbul University?
As part of the investigation, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office sent a letter to Istanbul University’s Rectorate on February 26.
The letter urgently requested:
All documents related to İmamoğlu’s education at the university,
The full identities of those who approved his transfer,
Information on whether similar transfer processes were conducted during the same period.
On February 28, the university responded, saying an inquiry had been launched.
When no response was received, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office sent a second letter on March 12, urging the university to expedite the process.
How Is the CHP Interpreting the Investigation?
İmamoğlu and the CHP leadership view the “diploma investigation” as a politically motivated operation conducted through the judiciary. They argue that the real aim is to block İmamoğlu’s candidacy.
Believing that İmamoğlu would defeat Erdoğan if he ran again, the CHP sees this investigation as an attempt to eliminate that possibility.
CHP leader Özgür Özel, reacting to the diploma investigation, said, “This shows how much they fear İmamoğlu.” Despite the controversy, CHP leadership plans to proceed with the March 23 primary and officially declare İmamoğlu as their candidate, even if his diploma is revoked.
What is the AKP Saying?
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the AKP leadership have remained silent on the ongoing debate over İmamoğlu’s diploma.
What Happens if the Diploma is Revoked?
Hürriyet columnist Abdülkadir Selvi claimed in his March 14 article that Istanbul University’s report found İmamoğlu’s university transfer to be legally problematic. According to Selvi, the university is expected to annul İmamoğlu’s diploma.
Under the Turkish Constitution, a presidential candidate must be a university graduate. If İmamoğlu’s diploma is officially revoked, he would no longer be eligible to run for president.
What Legal Options Does İmamoğlu Have?
If his diploma is canceled, İmamoğlu can challenge the decision in court. His first step would be filing a lawsuit with the Administrative Court. If the ruling goes against him, he could appeal to the Regional Administrative Court and, if necessary, take the case to the Council of State (Danıştay).
Speaking to BBC Turkish, Pehlivan stated that they would also appeal to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights. He outlined their roadmap as follows:
“Since 2020, official responses from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Business Administration, as well as the Rectorate’s information note from October 2024, clearly confirm that the transfer process was legally valid. It’s obvious that this process is aimed at disqualifying Ekrem İmamoğlu from the presidential race. In that case, complying with this unlawful act means participating in an attempt to sabotage the democratic election process.”
Pehlivan added that they would not only file complaints against those involved for abuse of office but also for attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.
Source: İmamoğlu'na diploma soruşturması hakkında neler biliniyor?
BONUS: The founder of the university that İmamoğlu attended gave a statement
Investigation into İmamoğlu’s Diploma Expands: University Founder Interrogated as a Suspect
The probe into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s diploma has taken a new turn, now extending to Northern Cyprus.
Turan Taşkın Özer, an MP from the opposition CHP, revealed that Özalp Tozan—one of the founders of Girne American University and a Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) graduate—was summoned for questioning by prosecutors.
Speaking on Sözcü TV, Özer emphasized that Tozan was not called as a mere witness but as a “suspect” in the case.
A Setup in the Making
“We can clearly see that a setup is being orchestrated,” Özer warned, highlighting how elderly academics—some suffering from serious health conditions like prostate cancer—are being pressured through legal intimidation.
Özer also pointed out the resignation of Istanbul University's dean under heavy political pressure, linking it to the broader effort to manufacture a case against İmamoğlu.
“We will soon see the extent of the fear and coercion involved when the details of this testimony emerge—likely today or tomorrow. This will give us a clearer picture of how this pressure campaign is being carried out,” he added.
Source: https://kisadalga.net/haber/ekonomi/oyun-satislari-yuzde-17-artti-iste-en-cok-satilan-oyunlar-122511