16.02.2026 12:01
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from the position of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, appeared before the judge for the fourth time due to allegations that his diploma is fake. In the case followed by a large group including CHP members of parliament and district mayors, İmamoğlu, while defending himself, stated, "Power hardens not to the confident, but to the fearful. Look, the path of those who fear losing their seat has always been one of deceit." The prosecutor's opinion is expected to be announced.
After the investigation initiated by Ekrem İmamoğlu regarding the cancellation of his bachelor's degree by Istanbul University, the trial opened on the charge of "systematic forgery of official documents," with a request for a sentence of up to 8 years and 9 months against İmamoğlu, is being held today in the courtroom of the Marmara Closed Prison in Silivri.
A LARGE GROUP IS FOLLOWING THE TRIAL
İmamoğlu's family, CHP members of parliament, district mayors, and many citizens are also following the trial.
İMAMOĞLU WAS GREETED WITH LOUD APPLAUSE
As İmamoğlu arrived in the courtroom at 11:06, the trial began with loud applause. The presiding judge asked İmamoğlu, "We had postponed the previous session to wait for the case in the Administrative Court. A decision was made, but it has not been finalized. Is there anything you would like to add to your previous defense?"
HE WANTED TO ADD TO HIS DEFENSE
İmamoğlu stated that he wanted to add to his defense. He said: "Thank you, Your Honor. This week we are entering the month of Ramadan. Unfortunately, we are experiencing situations where we are exhausted by such unfortunate circumstances. However, Ramadan is a time of abundance, it awakens the conscience. Positions and wealth are subjected to a review of existence and non-existence, and one seeks refuge in the Creator. It is a month of opportunity for people to feel equal. But it is sad that the mentality that canceled the election in Ramadan in 2019 is the same mentality that is canceling my diploma in Ramadan in 2025, and we will experience a process filled with lies and slanders that coincides with Ramadan.
"I HOPE THIS CASE EVOLVES INTO A HEALTHY PROCESS"
My hope is not much, but I wish and want this case to evolve into a healthy process for our country and judicial system. Once again, we will meet in the 'ugly case' during Ramadan. Whatever is said to be impossible is being experienced by us during this period within the judicial system. I welcome Ramadan as a way for those who carve a path for themselves using faith to remind those who do shameful things. May God grant these people wisdom. I hope that this will bring discipline to the tongues of those who have reached higher positions. I wish to convey that it is an immoral attitude for those who serve in the name of justice to engage in backdoor dealings, set traps, and target people's families. Faith lives in the mind and brain; there is no need to show it. However, I think that showing it in a way that is shoved in people's faces is not our belief."
"UNFORTUNATELY, POLITICAL HISTORY IS FILLED WITH DISGRACEFUL CASES"
Unfortunately, our esteemed nation’s political history is filled with disgraceful cases that attempt to imprison democracy, people's will, and hope. Today, we are here with such a scandalous indictment that I feel ashamed of the situation the esteemed Turkish judiciary has fallen into. I do not know what is planned, but the chain of cases that has formed has subjected our nation to unprecedented cases in history. We are going through a period where judges are changing, and my right to a fair trial is being violated in a process formed by a trash indictment.
The prosecutor who wrote this disgraceful indictment has achieved his goal and has been appointed as the deputy chief prosecutor of a district in Istanbul. The main reason for all this is very clear: fear. I am here because I have won 4 elections against the mentality at the head of the government and because I will win the upcoming elections. I am here because the people see the purity in my heart, but my bond with the nation is not fake; it is clean and sincere. 70% of our nation is with me, and with the strength given by my citizens, I am here with my head held high, but what is happening is happening to our nation and our future. You have destroyed the trust in justice; more than 80% of people do not believe in justice. The monstrosity they call the 'presidential government system' operates between the lips of two people. All institutions of our state have been dismantled. The future of our centuries-old state and state tradition is being condemned to a single person. The matter is very serious. This is definitely a matter of survival. I have been in Silivri for months because of the mentality that tries to destroy democracy.
''THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR'S FUTURE HAS LONG BEEN DETERMINED''
This mentality of power pressed the button starting from the summer of 2024. Four months after the local elections, if the chief prosecutor appointed to Istanbul is successful, the position he will be brought to has long been determined. The person who has taken on the prosecution of the process is the one at the head of the government. The process has begun with lies and operations along with Esenyurt. Taking a respected mayor (Ahmet Özer) who is 65 years old is as much a collapse of conscience as what all our mayors are experiencing. All my friends who are in prison are innocent in the same way. All the practices within this fake process are political, and the target is clear. The process before and after March 19 is trash. It is unlawful and invalid. The positions obtained by those who have gained benefits during this process are not places obtained with merit. I express to those people that you will escape, but this period of chaos will end, and 86 million citizens will win. Time is not that short; it is near and at the threshold of the door. You will be held accountable for all this in fair courts. What you have made us experience is fake and fraudulent.
"POWER HARDENS NOT TO THE CONFIDENT BUT TO THE AFRAID"
The true position is in the hearts of the people. That has been my only concern. The government has forgotten this position; it has turned into the position of one person's heart. That position is also fake and deceptive. You will understand when the time comes. Power hardens not to the confident but to the afraid. I am on the side of truth, and I will never change my position on that side. There is no life like mine on earth that has been scrutinized so much. I come from a 12 square meter cell. Such isolation has never been experienced in history. Whatever we have done, we are within this isolation. Thank God, no germs can come among us, but let me say this, the germ is among you. I express this clearly.
A DECISION MAY COME
In today's trial, the prosecutor's opinion is expected to be announced. On the other hand, it has been reported that a decision may be made if no additional time is requested from the court.
THE CASE HAD BEEN POSTPONED
Before the last hearing of the case held on December 8, the presiding judge was changed by the HSK decision, and the newly appointed court panel decided to postpone the case, waiting for the result of İmamoğlu's case, which he opened to suspend the cancellation of his diploma in the administrative court.
After the decision, İmamoğlu, speaking in court, reacted by saying, "Your intention is not to judge, Your Honor. What a pity."
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COURT HAD REJECTED İMAMOĞLU'S REQUEST
The Istanbul 5th Administrative Court, which is handling the case in the administrative court and whose panel was also changed by the HSK decision, as in the case to be seen today, unanimously rejected İmamoğlu's case with the decision announced on January 23.