26.02.2025 13:31
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma has been the subject of allegations regarding irregularities, and as part of the ongoing investigation, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office sent a letter to Istanbul University. In a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the matter, it was stated, "All administrative measures, including the withdrawal of the document in question, have been requested."
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made a statement regarding the investigation into the allegation that the diploma of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is fake, stating, "Apart from the issues that can be clearly understood from the content of the letter, especially regarding the 'cancellation of the diploma', it has been sent to Istanbul University for necessary actions to be taken regarding all administrative measures, including the retrieval process, as there will be irreparable damages regarding the mentioned document in the future."
AN INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN INITIATED
Reports were made to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegation that Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma is fake. An investigation was initiated after the report prepared by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) included findings regarding the falsity of İmamoğlu's diploma.
"IT HAS BEEN UNDERSTOOD THAT THE HORIZONTAL TRANSFER WAS NOT CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES"
While the investigation was ongoing, a letter was sent to the Istanbul University Rectorship by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In the letter, it was stated, "According to the YÖK report, it is indicated that only Eastern Mediterranean University is recognized by the Higher Education Council among the higher education institutions operating in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Considering the correspondence in question, it has been understood that the recognition condition of foreign higher education institutions is sought in horizontal transfer processes. Therefore, it has been determined that the horizontal transfer processes from University College of Northern Cyprus (UNCN), which does not have recognition, were not conducted in accordance with the decisions of the Higher Education Council by the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Business Administration at Istanbul University. Within the scope of the research report of the Higher Education Council Presidency, it has been determined that the Dean's Office conducted administrative processes regarding recognition, horizontal transfer quotas, announcement periods, and acceptance of horizontal transfers contrary to YÖK decisions, and it is requested that necessary actions be taken as soon as possible to ensure that the business and transactions to be established based on the mentioned diploma are not unlawful."
"A PROMPT RESPONSE IS REQUESTED"
In the continuation of the letter, it was stated, "Considering the legally irreparable consequences that may arise from the use of the mentioned diploma in accordance with the report sent by the Istanbul University Rectorship, it is requested that the administrative investigation be conducted or if there is an ongoing administrative investigation, the reports be sent to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, all documents related to İmamoğlu's education at Istanbul University be sent to us, and also the identification of who established the processes regarding the acceptance of horizontal transfer on September 12, 1990 and sending the open identity information to us, as well as a prompt response regarding whether similar horizontal transfer processes were conducted on the dates mentioned in the report is requested to be sent to our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office."
STATEMENT FROM İMAMOĞLU'S LAWYER
On the other hand, İmamoğlu's lawyer Kemal Polat stated, "The allegation that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office wrote a letter for the cancellation of Mr. İmamoğlu's diploma is not true, and we will use our legal rights against this allegation, which can be evaluated as 'publicly disseminating misleading information' and against attempts that falsely put judicial authorities under suspicion."