18.03.2025 19:40
Istanbul University announced that the reason for the cancellation of İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma is "absence" and "clear error."
Istanbul University announced that the diplomas of 28 individuals, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have been revoked on the grounds of "absence" and "clear error".
The diploma of 28 individuals, including IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, has been revoked by Istanbul University. While the reasons for the decision are being questioned, the university has made a statement. Istanbul University stated that the diplomas were revoked due to "absence" and "clear error".
The university's statement included the following:
"With the decision number 3 taken at the 61st meeting of our University Management Board on March 18, 2025, and based on the findings in the 'Research Report' dated February 17, 2025, and numbered E-68918934-663.08[2024/519-04-R]-12 of the Higher Education Audit Board, and the investigation numbered 2025/44681 by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office dated February 24, 2025, it has been decided to revoke the horizontal transfer decisions of 10 individuals whose registrations were canceled among the 38 individuals who unlawfully transferred to the English program of our Faculty of Business Administration in 1990, contrary to the decisions of the Higher Education Council and the conditions required by the legislation; to revoke the horizontal transfer decisions of the remaining 28 individuals, including the person mentioned in the 'Research Report' of the Higher Education Audit Board, and the diplomas and degrees obtained by these individuals based on these decisions on the grounds of 'absence' and 'clear error'; to continue the examinations and investigations related to horizontal transfers made in all faculties of our university, and subsequently to carry out the necessary actions and processes. The decision taken and all information and documents that form the basis of this decision will be promptly sent to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Higher Education Council."
INVESTIGATION
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation for the crime of "forgery in official documents" based on reports alleging that IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's bachelor's diploma was fake and findings regarding the falsity of his diploma in the report prepared by the Higher Education Council. İmamoğlu had given a statement to the prosecutor's office within the scope of the investigation.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, in a letter sent to Istanbul University regarding the investigation opened against İmamoğlu for the allegation that his university diploma was fake, requested that the necessary actions be taken as soon as possible to ensure that the processes to be established based on İmamoğlu's diploma are not contrary to the law.