'Fake diploma' investigation into İmamoğlu: Reactions grow like an avalanche

An investigation has been launched into Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu over allegations of a fake diploma. The investigation was justified by the claim of 'forgery of an official document'.

It was stated that İmamoğlu would be summoned to testify.

Reactions to the investigation poured in.

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir:

"This is exactly what the audacity of the ignorant looks like. When the presidential elections come onto the agenda, those without diplomas have a 'fake diploma' investigation opened against those who have them."

Istanbul MP Cemal Enginyurt, who resigned from the Democrat Party to join the CHP:

"Since you have launched an investigation into Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma, continue asking whether you have a diploma yourself. How much you feared Ekrem İmamoğlu!"

CHP Deputy Chairman Gökan Zeybek:

"The real issue is fake justice. Fear has become the government's new name, but fear is of no use against the inevitable. We are not talking about Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu's first candidacy application process. Both his university graduation diploma and his master's degree certificate were included in the application documents submitted to official authorities in 2014, 2019, and 2024. Furthermore, all official authorities have examined these documents before. The sun cannot be plastered over with mud. The government is trembling after the primary election process we initiated for early elections. You will not be able to stop our wave-like growing march to power. No matter what you do, you will go, and justice will come. We will all together lift this country back up. There is no salvation alone; either all together or none of us."

'WE ARE CONTINUING OUR EARLY ELECTION MARCH'

CHP Deputy Chairman Gül Çiftci:

"The 'diploma' investigation launched against our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu is an indication of how much the government fears the will and energy that will emerge during the organization-supervised primary election process where the Republican People's Party will determine its presidential candidate. While the government continues its investigations, which are completely hollow and aimed at sabotaging our primary election process through judicial harassment, we are listening to the voice of the people and continuing our early election march.

In this context; it has been announced by our authorized bodies that our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, who meets the participation requirements in accordance with Article 15 of our directive and has applied within the period specified in the election calendar, is entitled to participate in the Presidential Candidate Organization-Supervised Primary Election we will hold on Sunday, March 23, 2025. As stated in our election calendar, the printing of the ballot papers to be used in the primary election will begin on Monday, February 24. In accordance with Article 8 of our primary election directive, our Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel has determined the President and Members of the Organization-Supervised Primary Election Central Board, who are responsible for ensuring that the primary election process is conducted in accordance with the law, the party charter, regulations, and directives. The board, which I will chair as the Deputy Chairman responsible for Election and Party Legal Affairs, will include our Istanbul MP and High Disciplinary Board Chairman Turan Taşkın Özer, our Aydın MP Bülent Tezcan, and our Party Assembly members Saniye Barut and Ali Abbas Ertürk. Respectfully announced to the public."