New statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding İmamoğlu's diploma! 'Including the revocation of the document...'

As part of the investigation conducted into allegations that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma was obtained irregularly, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had sent a letter to Istanbul University.

In a statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the matter, it was stated that "it has been requested that all administrative measures be taken, including the revocation of the document in question."

In a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the investigation into the allegation that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's undergraduate diploma is fake, it was said: ''Apart from the matters clearly understood from the content of the warrant, since irreparable damages may occur in the future regarding the document in question, especially concerning the 'cancellation of the diploma,' our warrant has been sent to Istanbul University for the necessary actions to be taken, including the administrative revocation process, to ensure all administrative measures are taken.''

INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN LAUNCHED

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had received reports that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's undergraduate diploma was fake, and an investigation was launched after a report prepared by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) included findings regarding the falsity of İmamoğlu's diploma.

"IT HAS BEEN UNDERSTOOD THAT THE LATERAL TRANSFER WAS NOT CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES"

While the investigation was ongoing, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had written a letter to the Rectorate of Istanbul University. In the letter in question, it was stated: ''Within the framework of the YÖK report, it is noted that among the higher education institutions operating in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (T.R.N.C.), only the Eastern Mediterranean University is recognized by the Council of Higher Education; considering the correspondence in question, it is understood that the requirement of recognition of higher education institutions in foreign countries is sought in lateral transfer procedures; therefore, it has been determined that the lateral transfer procedures from the University College of Northern Cyprus (UNCN), which does not have recognition, were not conducted by the Dean's Office of the Istanbul University Faculty of Business Administration in accordance with the decisions of the Council of Higher Education. Within the scope of the research report of the Council of Higher Education, it has been determined that the administrative procedures regarding recognition, lateral transfer quotas, announcement periods, and lateral transfer acceptance were carried out by the Dean's Office in violation of YÖK decisions, and since the diploma in question continues to be used, it is requested that the necessary procedures be carried out as soon as possible so that the work and transactions to be established based on this diploma are not unlawful.''

"IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE RESPONSE BE SENT URGENTLY"

In the continuation of the letter in question, it was stated: ''Considering the legally irreparable consequences that will arise from the use of the diploma in question in line with the report sent by the Istanbul University Rectorate, it is requested that the administrative investigation be conducted, or if there is an ongoing administrative investigation, that the reports be sent to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, that all documents regarding the education İmamoğlu received at Istanbul University be sent to us, and furthermore, that the identity of the person or persons who initiated the work and transactions regarding the acceptance of the lateral transfer on September 12, 1990, be determined and their clear identity information be sent to us, and that a response regarding whether similar lateral transfer procedures were carried out on the dates mentioned in the report be sent to our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office urgently.''

STATEMENT FROM İMAMOĞLU'S LAWYER

On the other hand, İmamoğlu's lawyer, Kemal Polat, posted: "The claim that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has written a warrant for the cancellation of Mr. İmamoğlu's diploma is untrue, and we will exercise our legal rights against this claim, which could be evaluated within the scope of 'publicly spreading misleading information,' and against attempts that cast suspicion on judicial authorities in an unrealistic manner."