Response from Istanbul University to the motion regarding diploma cancellation! Will İmamoğlu be able to run as a candidate?

DEM Party deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu submitted a parliamentary question to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, requesting a response from Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin regarding the cancellation of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma. Minister Tekin forwarded the questions to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). YÖK, in turn, referred the matter to Istanbul University, which had carried out the diploma cancellation. As reported by Cumhuriyet, the Istanbul University Rectorate answered the motion with a signature from Rector Osman Bülent Zülfikar and argued that the cancellation in question was carried out in accordance with the Higher Education Law.

The parliamentary question also raised the issue of why İmamoğlu's diploma was deemed invalid after 31 years. In the response provided by the university to this question, it was stated that "an examination was conducted on the diploma following letters written within the scope of an investigation initiated upon complaints received by YÖK and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as CİMER applications."

"CONCRETE EVIDENCE" NOT DISCLOSED

In the motion submitted by Gergerlioğlu, attention was drawn to the terms "non-existence" and "obvious error" contained in the diploma cancellation decision, which is still the subject of litigation at the Istanbul 5th Administrative Court, and the question was asked: "On what concrete evidence are these concepts based?" In response to this question, Rector Zülfikar stated, "These expressions are based on evidence obtained as a result of research and examinations conducted meticulously on all student files, relevant board of directors decisions, and other details." However, no concrete examples or documents regarding what this evidence consists of were shared in the response.

"BASELESS AND UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS ARE NOT TRUE" 

The parliamentary question also included criticisms voiced in the public sphere regarding a "political and arbitrary decision." In response to these criticisms, the Rectorate stated that the diploma cancellation was not carried out with such a motive, replying, "Baseless and unsubstantiated claims are not true."

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE QUESTION "WILL IT AFFECT HIS CANDIDACY?"

Another notable heading in the motion was whether the cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma would affect his right to hold public office and participate in elections. In its response to this question, the Rectorate included the statement, "In cases where a higher education graduation requirement is sought, this requirement will not have been met."

This statement has brought about a significant debate regarding what consequences the diploma cancellation might have for İmamoğlu's political career.

News Source: 12punto