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An appeals court has rejected former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s challenge against the annulment of his university diploma, keeping alive a legal dispute that could affect his eligibility in a future presidential race.
The Istanbul Regional Administrative Court’s 7th Administrative Case Chamber rejected Imamoglu’s appeal against a lower court ruling that upheld the cancellation of his diploma, finding the first-instance decision was “procedurally and legally appropriate.”
The court ruled that arguments raised in the appeal petition did not justify overturning the earlier decision and noted that Imamoglu could still appeal to the Council of State within 30 days after notification.
The decision keeps the diploma case at the center of Türkiye’s political debate, as a higher education degree is among the constitutional requirements for presidential candidates.
Imamoglu, widely viewed as one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rivals and long considered a leading opposition contender, was suspended from office following his arrest over corruption allegations in March 2025.
He has been imprisoned for more than a year and faces multiple corruption-related cases linked to alleged municipal tender irregularities and financial misconduct.
Imamoglu is currently standing trial alongside 413 co-defendants. If convicted on all charges, he faces cumulative prison sentences totaling up to 2,430 years.
The ruling also comes amid renewed opposition calls for early elections.
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel last week urged the government to bring forward elections currently scheduled for 2028.
“Let’s put out the ballot box and see what the nation says,” Ozel said during an event in Izmir, proposing an election either by late June or early September.
The diploma case has also fueled debate within opposition circles over possible alternative candidates, with Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas frequently mentioned as another potential presidential contender, although CHP has not formally announced a candidate.
Imamoglu’s legal team is expected to appeal to the Council of State, Türkiye’s highest administrative court.
The chamber also rejected a request for an oral hearing and reviewed the file directly.
Citing Article 45 of Türkiye’s Administrative Procedure Law, the court said appeals could be rejected when first-instance rulings are found legally sound.
The decision was adopted unanimously on May 13.
If the Council of State upholds the ruling, the diploma annulment would become final.
The dispute centers on Imamoglu’s transfer in 1990 from Girne American University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Istanbul University’s English-language Business Administration Department.
Imamoglu enrolled at Girne American University in 1988, transferred after two years and graduated from Istanbul University in 1994. He later completed a master’s degree there.
The controversy concerns whether the Girne American University had recognition from Türkiye’s Higher Education Council (YOK) at the time of transfer. The university reportedly received equivalency recognition in 1993.
Imamoglu’s lawyers have argued that recognition and equivalency requirements were not part of transfer regulations in force at the time and noted that many students transferred from Northern Cyprus universities during the same period.
Istanbul University annulled the diplomas of Imamoglu and 27 others on March 18, 2025, citing “nullity” and “clear error.”
A separate criminal case regarding allegations that Imamoglu’s diploma was forged is also continuing before Istanbul’s 59th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Türkiye’s next presidential and parliamentary elections are officially scheduled for 2028.
The government has repeatedly rejected opposition calls for early elections. Erdogan and his ally Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have insisted elections will be held on schedule.
Under the constitution, parliament can renew elections with support from at least 360 lawmakers in the 600-seat parliament. The ruling alliance currently controls 321 seats through the AK Party’s 275 lawmakers and MHP’s 46 seats, while CHP holds 138 seats.
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