Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: 7 martyrs and wounded after an Israeli drone bombed a group of Palestinians while they were preparing a water well at the end of Al-Jalaa Street, north of Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: 122 martyrs as a result of Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip since dawn today.
Senior Palestinian Resistance official to Al Mayadeen: During yesterday's round of negotiations in Doha, "Israel" insisted on releasing captives as part of a transitional phase, while Hamas adhered to comprehensive package
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: A date has been set for the next round of indirect talks with the US, and it will be announced soon
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Two people, including a soldier, were injured in an Israeli airstrike near the town of Beit Yahoun, Bint Jbeil District, in South Lebanon
Araghchi: Iran is committed to diplomacy and expects the lifting of unjust and unilateral sanctions that directly target its people
Araghchi: We want a fair and balanced agreement reached within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with full respect for Iran's nuclear rights
Araghchi: Iran has always sought to alleviate legitimate international concerns about its nuclear program through transparency
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the principle of not producing or deploying weapons of mass destruction
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never sought to possess nuclear weapons based on its principles

Turkish police detain Istanbul mayor over corruption probe

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Mar 2025 08:21
3 Min Read

The latest development came a day after Istanbul University revoked Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's degree, alleging it was fraudulently obtained.

Listen
  • x
  • IstanbulIstanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) gestures as he addresses supporters during an election rally ahead of the May 28 presidential runoff vote, in Istanbul on May 27, 2023. (AFP) 

Turkish police have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges of leading a criminal organization, bribery, tender rigging, and aiding a terrorist group, broadcaster CNN Turk reported on Wednesday.

Following Imamoglu’s detention, Turkiye restricted access to multiple social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, according to the NetBlocks internet observatory.

In a separate development, a Turkish university on Tuesday revoked Imamoglu’s degree, alleging it was fraudulently obtained.

The decision deals a significant blow to the mayor—widely regarded as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s most formidable political rival—just days before he was set to be officially named the main opposition CHP party’s presidential candidate for the 2028 election.

Under the Turkish constitution, a presidential candidate must hold a higher education degree.

Imamoglu denounced the ruling as "unlawful" and vowed to challenge it in court.

"We will fight this illegitimate decision in court," said the 53-year-old, who has faced mounting legal challenges that critics describe as politically motivated.

"We will build a system that will erase injustice from this country's memory," he added, warning that those responsible for the decision would one day be held accountable.

Erdogan has long denied allegations that he himself never completed university and was therefore constitutionally ineligible for the presidency.

Related News

Trump to hold phone calls with Putin, Zelensky amid ceasefire push

Turkiye calls on PKK to hand over arms, urges stability

In a statement on X, Istanbul University announced that the degrees of 28 individuals, including Imamoglu, would be "withdrawn and cancelled on the grounds of... obvious error" but did not provide further details.

Opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the move as a "black mark" on Turkiye’s legal and academic institutions, insisting it would not deter the party from nominating Imamoglu as its presidential candidate. He is expected to be formally named at a party congress on Sunday.

"The action taken is not legal, but political... we stand behind Ekrem Imamoglu... (who) is our presidential candidate", Ozel declared, expressing hope that the courts would overturn the decision swiftly.

CHP lawmaker Murat Emir also denounced the ruling as "a heavy blow to our democracy."

On its part, Human Rights Watch called for the immediate release of the Turkish mayor, calling his arrest and charges against him "politically motivated" and "bogus".

Imamoglu’s office had previously published a copy of his business management diploma, issued by Istanbul University in 1995, following claims by a journalist that he did not hold a degree.

In recent years, the mayor has been targeted by multiple legal investigations, with three new cases opened against him this year alone.

In 2022, he was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison and barred from political activity for "insulting" election officials in Istanbul. He has appealed the verdict, with the case still pending.

A vocal critic of Erdogan—who himself rose to the presidency after serving as Istanbul’s mayor—Imamoglu has denounced the legal proceedings against him as judicial "harassment."

Istanbul University stated that it had submitted related documents to the Istanbul prosecutor’s office and the Higher Education Council.

Read more: Turkish strike kills nine civilians in Ain al-Arab: Syrian Observatory

  • Turkey
  • Ekrem Imamoglu
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Istanbul
  • Turkiye

Most Read

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025
Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025
YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben-Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

  • MENA
  • 18 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks up during a press statement at the Carmelite Monastery in the Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary, April 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Under US pressure, Netanyahu allows limited Gaza aid, bypasses Cabinet

A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' commits massacres during talks to pressure Hamas: Official

In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks to navy officials, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Nuclear deal with US possible if intimidation tactics stop: Pezeshkian

Israeli forces inspect the site where a projectile fired by the Yemeni Armed Forces landed in the area of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on Sunday, May 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Yemen warns airlines against flights to Ben Gurion amid blockade

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS