Ekrem Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul and prominent opposition figure in Turkey, appeared in court on Friday to face charges of allegedly falsifying his university degree, a case many critics view as politically motivated.
Imamoglu, who is widely considered the main opposition candidate capable of defeating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a national election, was arrested on March 19 as part of a corruption investigation.
He was jailed days later, triggering Turkey’s largest street protests in over a decade.
Just before his arrest, Istanbul University revoked his degree, claiming it had been fraudulently obtained, a serious allegation under Turkish law, since a higher education qualification is required to run for president.
The hearing was held at Silivri Courthouse, located within the same prison complex 80 km west of Istanbul where Imamoglu is currently being held.
He is accused of “repeated falsification of official documents” related to his academic records.
As Imamoglu entered the courtroom shortly before noon, supporters in attendance clapped, cheered, and chanted “President Imamoglu,” according to video footage shared by Turkish media.
Addressing the court, Imamoglu explained that he initially gained admission to a university in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a territory recognized only by Ankara, when he was 18.
He later transferred to Istanbul University, completing his degree in business management in 1995, in full compliance with Turkey’s Council of Higher Education regulations.
“I met all the requirements for a horizontal transfer, was accepted, studied, and graduated,” he said.
“What exactly is my crime? What fraud? This indictment is absurd. Will they now deny the existence of TRNC just to invalidate my degree?”
His remarks were widely shared by journalists and his legal team on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Imamoglu’s lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, who is also currently jailed, joined the session online. He refused to mount a defense, citing the court’s refusal to let him meet his client.
He requested to be physically present at the next hearing, a request the judge said would be considered.
Prosecutors are demanding up to eight years and nine months in prison for Imamoglu and a ban on political activity.
His office previously published a copy of his 1995 Istanbul University degree in response to media scrutiny.
This trial is one of several legal battles Imamoglu is facing. In June, he went to court over comments questioning the integrity of Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor, charges which include “threatening” and “insulting a public official.”
He is also on trial for allegedly trying to influence a court by criticizing a court-appointed expert involved in a separate corruption case targeting several municipalities run by his Republican People’s Party (CHP).
