A new act in the diploma controversy: Did the dean resign?

While the investigation into the diploma of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continues, allegations have surfaced that Ahmet Köse, Dean of the Istanbul University Faculty of Business Administration, has resigned.

According to information reported by Nedim Şener, the review commission established by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and Istanbul University as part of the investigation has detected irregularities in İmamoğlu's lateral transfer process.

According to the allegations, Dean Ahmet Köse, who remained in the shadow of the discussions regarding the diploma process, submitted his resignation letter to the university administration. However, no official statement has been made regarding Köse's resignation.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

Istanbul University had announced that the investigation letter from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the letters from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Presidency regarding the allegation that IMM Mayor İmamoğlu's university diploma was fake had reached the university.

In the statement made by the university, it was stated: "The letter from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office dated February 24, 2025, with investigation number 2025/44681, and the letter from the Council of Higher Education Presidency dated February 27, 2025, titled 'Investigation File,' have reached our University. In this context, necessary examinations and procedures will be carried out within our University within the framework of the findings in the Council of Higher Education Presidency's letter, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's letter, and the 'Research Report' dated February 17, 2025, from the Higher Education Supervisory Board attached thereto, and the relevant institutions and the public will be informed of the results."

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation for the crime of "forgery of official documents" following reports that IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's undergraduate diploma was fake and findings in a report prepared by the Council of Higher Education regarding the alleged forgery of his diploma.

İmamoğlu had been invited to the prosecutor's office to provide his statement as part of the investigation.

In the letter sent to Istanbul University as part of the investigation launched against İmamoğlu for the crime of "forgery of official documents" over allegations that his university diploma was fake, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested that necessary actions be taken as soon as possible to ensure that any work or procedures based on İmamoğlu's diploma would not be unlawful.