İsmail Saymaz comments on the diploma crisis: He recalls Hulusi Akar's daughter

The 'fake diploma' investigation launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor and CHP presidential candidate hopeful Ekrem İmamoğlu continues to spark controversy. Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz stated that similar situations are interpreted differently for different individuals, recalling the educational process of former Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar's daughter.

Saymaz stated that while the biology education Akar's daughter received in the US was not considered equivalent to medical faculties in Turkey, the statute of limitations was applied in that case. In contrast, he drew attention to the fact that the decision to challenge the recognition of the university from which Ekrem İmamoğlu transferred is being brought up 35 years after the transfer took place.

''A LEGAL BASIS''

Stating that there is no legal basis for the accusations regarding İmamoğlu's university diploma, Saymaz wrote that the latest report from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) also includes details that refute these claims.

Reporting that YÖK is examining the report from the TRNC as part of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Saymaz emphasized that the document contains no evidence of any criminal element other than issues regarding "recognition and procedural compliance" concerning İmamoğlu's transfer process. Furthermore, he noted that the "recognition requirement" was not in effect in regulations in 1990 and therefore cannot serve as a basis for the accusations.

Recalling that Girne American University was not recognized by YÖK in the past but that this decision was later changed, Saymaz noted that İmamoğlu's transfer was also carried out in accordance with the rules of that period. For this reason, he stated that it is legally impossible to cancel the diploma or launch a criminal investigation against İmamoğlu.

INVESTIGATION INTO AKAR'S DAUGHTER CLOSED DUE TO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

Recalling that in the past, Hulusi Akar's daughter entered and graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine despite having no equivalency while studying biology in the US, and that an investigation opened nine years later was closed due to the statute of limitations, Saymaz stated that the same statute of limitations is being ignored in İmamoğlu's case, writing the following:

"Let us assume for a moment that the İBB Mayor transferred in a way contrary to YÖK decisions and procedures.

There is no usurpation of authority for the transaction to be considered as if it never happened.

There is no forgery for it to be cancelled.

If there is an administrative error, according to Council of State decisions, the decision should have been revoked within 60 days. If it is not revoked, it is considered an acquired right.

Indeed, former Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar's daughter entered and graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine while studying biology in the US, despite having no equivalency, and began practicing medicine. The investigation opened nine years later was closed due to the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations, which worked perfectly for Akar's daughter, is being suspended when it comes to İmamoğlu.

Look, even if you commit the most serious crime in Turkey, a case must be filed within 20 years and a decision must be reached within 30 years.

Even if there were a violation, 35 years have passed since İmamoğlu's diploma.

İmamoğlu's diploma cannot be cancelled, that is one.

Secondly, a criminal investigation cannot be opened against İmamoğlu."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Hulusi Akar's daughter, S. Akar, transferred to Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 2003 after receiving biology education in America. This transfer was carried out despite it being known that biology and medical faculties were not equivalent. An inspector's report, which was concluded due to the statute of limitations, revealed that the transfer was irregular. However, despite an investigation being opened upon a complaint made at the time, no sanctions were applied. The incident also brought about criticism that the members of the YÖK Supervisory Board at the time ignored the equivalency requirements.