Has Ekrem İmamoğlu been detained? Why was he detained? Latest developments on Ekrem İmamoğlu

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continues to be at the center of breaking news. On the evening of March 18, 2025, the Istanbul University Board of Directors announced that it had cancelled the diplomas of 28 individuals, including İmamoğlu. On the morning of March 19, a detention order was issued for İmamoğlu as part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. These developments have brought the questions, 'Has Ekrem İmamoğlu been detained? Why was a detention order issued? Was his diploma cancelled?' to the forefront. Here are all the details...

HAS THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE MADE A STATEMENT?

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the so-called "urban consensus" activities allegedly carried out by the PKK/KCK terrorist organization to increase its influence in metropolitan cities. The investigation states that terrorist organization leaders Cemil Bayık and Mustafa Karasu transmitted instructions via media outlets close to the terrorist organization prior to the March 31, 2024, local elections. In line with these instructions, it is alleged that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu formed an alliance with the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), which is described as the umbrella organization of the terrorist group.

In its statement, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office emphasized that the HDK shares similar characteristics with the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), which is recognized by the Court of Cassation as the umbrella organization of the terrorist group, and acts as an alternative structure to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Based on these findings, simultaneous detention and search operations were carried out against HDK members in many provinces, primarily in Istanbul.

HAS EKREM İMAMOĞLU BEEN DETAINED? WHY WAS HE DETAINED?

According to information and documents obtained during the investigation, it is alleged that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, IMM Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, Şişli Mayor Resul Ekrem Şahan, and Reform Institute President Mehmet Ali Çalışkan knowingly participated in the PKK/KCK terrorist organization's "urban consensus" activities and aided the organization. In line with these allegations, instructions were issued to the Istanbul Police Department's Counter-Terrorism Branch as of 06:15 on March 19, 2025, to carry out simultaneous apprehension, detention, search, and seizure operations regarding the suspects in question.

WAS EKREM İMAMOĞLU'S DIPLOMA CANCELLED?

The Istanbul University Board of Directors, in its meeting held on March 18, 2025, decided to cancel the diplomas of 28 people, including Ekrem İmamoğlu. The decision was made in accordance with the investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the research report of the Higher Education Supervisory Board (YÖK).

ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR CHP MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEPUTY MAYORS

In the statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that municipal council members elected from the CHP quota and appointed deputy mayors were examined. As a result of the examinations, it was determined that some individuals had links to the terrorist organization and had registered as CHP members shortly before the March 31, 2024, local elections. In this context, it is alleged that a total of 10 people, including the Deputy Mayors of Ataşehir and Kartal and 8 IMM council members, were included in HDK data and were members of the terrorist organization. The individuals in question were detained and arrested.

HAS İMAMOĞLU MADE A STATEMENT? WHAT DID HE SAY?

In a statement he made on social media following his detention, İmamoğlu said, "Those who try to usurp the will of our nation have used my dear police officers as tools for this evil. They piled hundreds of police officers at the door of the residence of 16 million Istanbulites. We are facing great tyranny. But I want you to know that I will not be intimidated. I will stand tall."

WHERE AND WHEN DID EKREM İMAMOĞLU GRADUATE?

Ekrem İmamoğlu enrolled in the English Business Administration department at Girne American University (GAU) on September 5, 1988. After completing his preparatory year and freshman year there, he transferred to the Istanbul University Faculty of Business Administration, English Department, in 1990. İmamoğlu graduated from Istanbul University in 1994. However, with the latest decision by Istanbul University, it was announced that this graduation is considered invalid.