Ekrem İmamoğlu’s Diploma under Investigation: Türkiye News Today
Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu’s Lawyer Provides Statement on University Degree Investigation
In a press conference held at the presidential building of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Saraçhane, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, addressed the ongoing investigation into İmamoğlu’s educational background. Pehlivan stated that İmamoğlu’s degrees from Kyrenia American University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Istanbul University, and Beyoğlu Anatolian High School will be evaluated.
“In the current situation, unless any fault can be attributed to Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu and our other citizens who took part in their oaths, legally proving such fault is not possible,” Pehlivan declared. “We have submitted the necessary documents for verification and made the necessary transitions. There is no need for any further explanation beyond that.”
Pehlivan also referenced the YÖK (Council of Higher Education) report in the investigation file, which accused individuals involved in the process of “attempting to influence fair proceedings, abuse of duty, publicly spreading public documents, concealing official documents, making false statements, and committing slander.”
According to the YÖK report, the decision to recognize the American University of Kyrenia was made by the Council of Higher Education in 1993, and the relevant institution was not among the universities recognized in 1990. The report also highlighted discrepancies in the equivalence granted to students who graduated from the university in the early 1990s.
Pehlivan confirmed that İmamoğlu will appear for questioning at the Caglayan Istanbul Courthouse as part of the ongoing investigation. The legal team expressed confidence in the process and reiterated their commitment to cooperating fully with the authorities to resolve any lingering questions about İmamoğlu’s academic credentials.
