Lawyer announces: İmamoğlu takes action against diploma cancellation

Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently detained at Silivri Prison, announced that they have filed a counter-lawsuit regarding the cancellation of his client's university diploma.

Making a statement on the matter, Pehlivan stated, "We have filed our lawsuit today, May 6, 2025, at the Istanbul Administrative Court for the cancellation of this action, which is contrary to all universal principles of law, the Constitution, and administrative law."

WHY IS THE DATE MAY 6 IMPORTANT?

In a post on the social media platform X, Pehlivan emphasized that the choice of this date was intentional, stating, "As is known, May 6 is a symbolic day in Turkish history for those who struggle for the ideals of democracy, law, and full independence. The unfair and unlawful cancellation of the Istanbul elections won by Ekrem İmamoğlu in 2019 also took place on a May 6."

"WE WILL NEVER BOW DOWN TO LAWLESSNESS"

Pehlivan's statement included the following:

"My client Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma, which he received in accordance with the law 31 years ago, was cancelled on March 18, 2025, in a manner clearly contrary to the principles of the rule of law and through the abuse of administrative authority.

We have filed our lawsuit today, May 6, 2025, at the Istanbul Administrative Court for the cancellation of this action, which is contrary to all universal principles of law, the Constitution, and administrative law.

As is known, May 6 is a symbolic day in Turkish history for those who struggle for the ideals of democracy, law, and full independence. The unfair and unlawful cancellation of the Istanbul elections won by Ekrem İmamoğlu in 2019 also took place on a May 6.

Precisely for this reason, we found it meaningful and important to file our lawsuit on May 6, which is a symbol of the struggle for democracy, justice, and independence against lawlessness.

This lawsuit does not only aim to protect Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu's personal legal rights. It is also a struggle we are waging for the sake of protecting the rule of law, the principle of legal certainty, and fundamental rights and freedoms. We will continue this struggle to the end with our commitment to the rule of law and our trust in the independent judiciary. We will continue our struggle with determination until justice is served, and we will never bow down to lawlessness.

Respectfully announced to the public."

My client Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma, which he received in accordance with the law 31 years ago, was cancelled on March 18, 2025, in a manner clearly contrary to the principles of the rule of law and through the abuse of administrative authority.

We have filed our lawsuit today, May 6, 2025, at the Istanbul Administrative Court for the cancellation of this action, which is contrary to all universal principles of law, the Constitution, and administrative law…

— Mehmet Pehlivan (@mehmettpehlivan) May 6, 2025