20.10.2025 16:21
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from his position as the Mayor of Istanbul, appeared in court for the second time in the 'fake diploma' case. During the tumultuous hearing, the judge announced an interim decision and postponed the case to December 8.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was removed from the position of Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, appeared before the judge for the second time with a request for a prison sentence of 2 years and 6 months to 8 years and 9 months on the charge of 'systematic forgery of official documents' regarding the allegation that his diploma was fake. The trial regarding İmamoğlu's fake diploma was postponed to December 8.
TENSION BEFORE THE HEARING
Before the hearing, there was tension between the crowd wanting to enter the hall as spectators and the gendarmerie officers. The crowd, which broke down the barriers set up in the area, wanted to enter the courtroom. The crowd wanting to enter the courtroom broke the barriers. A scuffle occurred between the gendarmerie and the crowd.
İMAMOĞLU'S FAMILY LEFT THE HALL
After a break of about an hour, the hearing that started in the second hall saw objections from the lawyers. The judge told the lawyers who requested a larger hall, "There is a technical problem in the first hall." Upon this, Ekrem İmamoğlu's family, party members, and some lawyers left the hall. One of the party members leaving the hearing called out to the judge, "Ekrem İmamoğlu and his lawyers have decided not to attend the hearing."
"BRING THE DEFENDANT TO THE HALL"
After a while, the lawyers who were talking to the judge collectively left the courtroom. The judge instructed the gendarmerie, saying, "Bring the defendant to the hall." Despite a long time passing, when İmamoğlu did not come to the hall, the judge said, "The defendant does not have a situation of not attending the hearing."
İMAMOĞLU: I DO NOT WANT TO DEFEND MYSELF
Referring to the tensions experienced before the hearing, İmamoğlu said, "Some of my lawyers could not enter due to the small size of the hall. I have no opportunity to defend myself without my lawyers being here. I do not want to defend myself in the absence of my lawyers."