Statement on claims that İmamoğlu's diploma was cancelled: Response from the CHP

An investigation has been launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on charges of "forgery of official documents" regarding allegations that his university diploma is "fake."

In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that the investigation was initiated "within the scope of reports regarding the falsity of İmamoğlu's undergraduate diploma" and based on a report prepared by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) which "contains findings regarding the falsity of the diploma."

Within the scope of the investigation, İmamoğlu was invited to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan on February 26 to provide his statement.

While the investigation has been criticized by many, CHP High Disciplinary Board Chairman Lawyer Turan Taşkın Özer issued a warning regarding the investigation on his social media account.

Stating that YÖK does not have the authority to cancel a diploma, Özer issued the following warning:

"The information that our IMM Mayor Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma has been cancelled by YÖK is not true. Because YÖK does not have the authority to cancel a diploma. I warn the public against fake news and manipulations."

The information that our IMM Mayor Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma has been cancelled by YÖK is not true. Because YÖK does not have the authority to cancel a diploma. I warn the public against fake news and manipulations.

— Av. Turan Taşkın Özer (@ttaskinozer) February 22, 2025