The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu over allegations that his university diploma is forged. The probe follows a report from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), which was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office upon claims that İmamoğlu’s degree may not be legitimate. The mayor, who is widely regarded as a key challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is expected to testify on February 26 as part of the investigation.
The case marks the latest in a series of legal challenges against İmamoğlu, who is already facing five lawsuits, potentially leading to a political ban. Critics argue that the legal pressure on İmamoğlu is politically motivated, given that he is expected to be declared the presidential candidate of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) next month. CHP leader Özgür Özel criticized the investigation, stating, “This shows how afraid they are of İmamoğlu.”
A Tale of Two Diplomas: İmamoğlu vs. Erdoğan
The allegations against İmamoğlu bear striking similarities to long-standing controversies surrounding President Erdoğan’s own academic credentials. Under Turkish law, a university degree is a constitutional requirement for holding the office of president. Erdoğan has repeatedly denied allegations that he lacks the necessary qualifications, but doubts have persisted for over a decade.
According to his official biography, Erdoğan graduated from Marmara University’s Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences in 1981 after completing a four-year program. However, discrepancies in this claim have fueled skepticism. Records indicate that the faculty was only established in 1982, a year after Erdoğan supposedly graduated. In 2016, Marmara University released a copy of his diploma, but it listed his department as the “School of Business Administration,” contradicting previous claims of graduating from the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences.
Additionally, the university’s diploma query system was shut down by court order in 2014, preventing independent verification of Erdoğan’s degree. Unlike İmamoğlu, Erdoğan has not introduced any classmates from his university years, further deepening suspicions.
Double Standards in Judicial Scrutiny?
The stark contrast between the judicial treatment of İmamoğlu and Erdoğan has raised concerns over the politicization of Turkey’s legal system. While İmamoğlu is being investigated over alleged diploma forgery, Erdoğan has largely avoided formal legal scrutiny despite the persistent controversy surrounding his degree.
In 2016, former prosecutor Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu petitioned Turkey’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) to annul Erdoğan’s presidency on the grounds that he failed to meet the constitutional requirement. The petition was ultimately dismissed, and the debate faded following the failed coup attempt in July 2016.
The opposition has repeatedly called on Erdoğan to present an original copy of his diploma, but the government has instead dismissed the controversy as a smear campaign. Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın once responded to the allegations by asking, “Do you want us to print 10 million copies of his diploma and distribute them to the world?”
Political Implications
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is currently facing multiple legal challenges, with a total of five lawsuits filed against him, potentially leading to a combined prison sentence of up to 27 years if convicted on all counts. Other legal cases against him are as follows:
1. “Fool” Case: In December 2022, İmamoğlu was sentenced to 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days in prison for allegedly insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Election Council by calling those who annulled the March 2019 Istanbul mayoral election “fools.” This verdict also includes a political ban. The case is currently under appeal; if the verdict is upheld, he could be removed from office and barred from political activity.
2. Tender Case from Beylikdüzü Mayoralty: Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 3 to 7 years, accusing İmamoğlu of causing a public loss of 250,000 Turkish Liras in a municipal tender during his tenure as Mayor of Beylikdüzü. Despite a favorable ruling from the Council of State, the lawsuit proceeds, with the next hearing scheduled for April 11, 2025.
3. Akın Gürlek Case: İmamoğlu faces charges of “threatening and targeting officials in the fight against terrorism” over remarks he made about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. The indictment demands a sentence of up to 7 years and 4 months, along with a political ban.
4. Ordu Governor’s Lawsuit: He is also on trial for allegedly insulting then-Governor Seddar Yavuz at Ordu-Giresun Airport’s VIP lounge during a return trip to Istanbul. Prosecutors are seeking a 2-year prison sentence in this case.
5. Expert Case: A recent indictment accuses İmamoğlu of attempting to influence judicial officials by publicly disclosing the identity of a court-appointed expert during a press conference on January 27, 2025. If the indictment is accepted, he faces a prison sentence of up to 4 years.
The timing of İmamoğlu’s new investigation has raised concerns among opposition figures and legal experts, who argue that the case could be an attempt to sideline him ahead of Turkey’s 2028 presidential elections. If convicted, İmamoğlu could face political disqualification, similar to what happened to other opposition figures in recent years.
On the other hand, Erdoğan has framed the ongoing scrutiny over his degree as a desperate attempt by his opponents to undermine his leadership. “Despite all the explanations and declarations that have been made on this subject, some people want to revive the debate,” Erdoğan said last year. “Whatever you want to do, our works speak for themselves.”
As Turkey heads toward a politically charged election season, the contrasting treatment of İmamoğlu and Erdoğan’s diploma controversies continues to fuel debates about judicial impartiality and political maneuvering in the country. Whether İmamoğlu will face legal consequences remains to be seen, but the case has already intensified Turkey’s deep political divides.
