İstanbul University has announced the annulment of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s university diploma, citing alleged irregularities in his transfer process in 1990. The decision has triggered a wave of reactions from opposition figures, who describe it as an attempt to undermine İmamoğlu ahead of the upcoming elections.
İmamoğlu strongly denounced the move, stating that the university lacks the legal authority to revoke his diploma. “This decision is entirely unlawful. Those responsible will be held accountable before history and justice,” he asserted.
The leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, condemned the decision, calling it a “disgraceful political manoeuvre”. He reaffirmed İmamoğlu’s candidacy, saying, “Our motivation remains unchanged. Those who fear him are resorting to desperate tactics.”
CHP parliamentary group leader Gökhan Günaydın likened the diploma’s revocation to previous attempts to invalidate İmamoğlu’s electoral victories, stating, “Just as the wrongful annulment of his mayoral certificate led to a greater victory, this unlawful decision will have similar consequences.”
Meanwhile, CHP MP Ali Mahir Başarır accused the judiciary of acting under political influence, declaring, “This is a judicial coup orchestrated at the behest of the Presidential Palace!” Similarly, CHP’s Veli Ağbaba slammed the decision as “an unprecedented disgrace”, arguing, “No self-respecting politician would try to eliminate an opponent through judicial manipulation.”
İmamoğlu’s legal team has indicated that the decision will be challenged in administrative court, arguing that the university lacks the jurisdiction to annul a diploma, which should fall under faculty authority.
The case is expected to fuel tensions in the lead-up to general elections, with opposition leaders framing it as a broader attack on democratic norms in Turkey.
