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Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Ozgur Ozel on Tuesday announced plans for a public rally in front of Istanbul University’s historic gate at Beyazit Square in Fatih district, protesting the annulment of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s university diploma and his ongoing imprisonment.
Speaking at the CHP parliamentary group meeting, Ozel called on supporters to gather on Wednesday evening, declaring, “At 8:30 p.m. (local time), we will be in Beyazit with our Mayor Ekrem.”
Imamoglu, who is currently held at Marmara Prison in Silivri following a corruption investigation, had his diploma from Istanbul University annulled. Ozel condemned the move and urged public support.
A message also appeared on Imamoglu’s official social media account, calling his followers to join the demonstration. “Dear people of Istanbul, at your magnificent gathering in front of the historic gate of my university in Beyazit, I will be with you with all my heart,” the post read.
“For the young people unjustly and unlawfully imprisoned, for the families who have been victimized, for the honor of our university, for justice, for the future of our country, I invite you all to this historic gathering at Beyazit Square," the post said.
Imamoglu’s diploma was annulled by Istanbul University on March 18, with the associated records removed from the institution’s database. Meanwhile, diplomas belonging to eight others were also deleted.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into alleged “forgery of official documents,” citing complaints and a report by the Council of Higher Education (YOK), which claimed Imamoglu’s undergraduate diploma was falsified.
The prosecutor’s office formally requested the university to take immediate action to prevent any legal or administrative processes from being conducted based on the contested document.
In a March 18 statement, Istanbul University said diplomas for 28 individuals, including Imamoglu, had been annulled due to “nonexistence” and “obvious error.”
Imamoglu was arrested on March 23 in connection with corruption allegations. Prosecutors accuse him of facilitating the purchase of three high-value villas in Istanbul through his family’s construction company, in which he holds a 60% stake.
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