Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared in court again today, Monday (16/02), for the fake diploma case that led to dozens of arrests and mass demonstrations across Turkey. Specifically, the imprisoned Istanbul mayor and opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate for Turkey, warned during his testimony that those targeting him “will run like mice,” primarily aiming at state media outlets.
Read: Ekrem Imamoglu calls for Turkey-EU relations restart through customs union, from prison
Meanwhile, Ekrem Imamoglu launched harsh criticism against the government, speaking of an “indictment full of lies and slander” and the instrumentalization of justice. “TRT, Anadolu, disreputable and characterless paid executioners within media organizations… Soon you will see them running like mice,” he specifically declared.
Timeline of Ekrem Imamoglu’s case – How he was imprisoned
It should be recalled that Ekrem Imamoglu was ordered into pretrial detention on charges of “forgery of official documents,” following the cancellation of a university diploma he received 31 years ago. The case concerns the decision of Istanbul University, which on March 18, 2025 canceled Ekrem Imamoglu’s degree citing “obvious error” and “invalidity regarding his transfer from a “university” in occupied Cyprus. However, no legal proceedings were initiated against other students from the same period.
“The target is me and the Republican People’s Party”
Imamoglu also argued that the case is not about the university diploma, but constitutes political targeting, attributing the prosecution to the “power’s fear of his electoral appeal” and because he is considered a likely opponent in the next presidential elections. He spoke of an “attempted political coup of March 19th,” claiming the cost to the country exceeded $250 billion.
He also accused the presidential system of concentrating excessive powers in one person, speaking of an “existential threat” to democracy. Ekrem Imamoglu “attacked” judicial officials as well, arguing that the process is “absolutely political” and that the target is himself and the Republican People’s Party (CHP). He also warned that “the ballot box will come” and that those responsible for “illegal acts” will be held accountable.
It should be noted that the detained Istanbul mayor appeared for the fourth time today before the judge regarding his diploma case. By court decision, the trial was postponed to July 6th.
