The first hearing of the diploma case against Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and CHP’s imprisoned presidential candidate, due to “forgery of official documents” was held in Silivri. The indictment demands up to 8 years and 9 months in prison and a political ban for İmamoğlu. His wife Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, his son, father, sister, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, MPs, mayors and bar association representatives watched the hearing. Imamoğlu, who stated his education as “Master’s Degree” in his identification, was applauded in the hall. Describing the case as “political” in his defense, İmamoğlu said, “This indictment was written by the person who knew he would lose in the election. I am so free in 12 square meters that he should crack in his palace.” During the hearing to which his lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan connected via SEGBİS, the court adjourned the case to October 20 and ruled that Pehlivan will attend the next hearing via SEGBİS.
September 12, 2025
Bianet