Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained following a police raid linked to a corruption investigation. His detention coincided with Istanbul University revoking his diploma, citing irregularities that jeopardize his eligibility to run for president. Imamoglu has previously won the mayoral race against Erdogan's party and is anticipated to be nominated as the presidential candidate by his party soon. He has expressed determination to fight these accusations and asserts the broader implications for democracy in Turkey.
I will not give up, I will not get tired. Ekrem is not the subject of this action anymore, the subject is democracy, the future of our country.
The university declared the graduations and degrees of 28 people, including Imamoglu, as being 'void' because of 'obvious error.'
Imamoglu, a popular opposition politician from the center-left Republican People's Party, was set to be nominated as his party's pick for presidential candidate this weekend.
Imamoglu has been twice elected mayor of Istanbul, in 2019 and 2023, beating candidates from Erdogan's ruling conservative Justice and Development party.
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