Diploma Trial Postponed | İmamoğlu Claims Indictment Was Ordered by Political Rival

Summary:

The opening hearing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s controversial diploma trial took place on September 11 at Silivri Prison Court instead of Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse. Prosecutors accuse İmamoğlu of forgery of official documents and seek up to 8 years 9 months in prison along with a political ban. İmamoğlu, who is also the jailed CHP presidential candidate, called the case a “disgrace” and claimed the indictment was orchestrated by political opponents fearing defeat in the next election.

First Hearing Held at Silivri Prison

The trial, originally scheduled for Çağlayan Courthouse, was moved to Marmara High-Security Prison Courtroom in Silivri, where İmamoğlu appeared for the first time in the diploma case. He is accused of submitting a falsified university diploma.

Prosecutors are demanding between 2 years 6 months and 8 years 9 months in prison for “serial forgery of official documents” as well as a political ban under Article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code.

İmamoğlu’s Defense: “This Case Is Purely Political”

Entering the courtroom to applause, İmamoğlu dismissed the charges:

“This indictment was ordered by someone who knows I will defeat him in the next election. The very existence of this case is a disgrace.”

Holding up a map of Istanbul’s local election results, he added:

“Do you know why I am here? It’s because of this. The fear created by the result we achieved in Istanbul is why I am imprisoned.”

Jailed Lawyer Connects from Prison

During proceedings, İmamoğlu reminded the court that his lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was also in custody. The judge asked if he wanted Pehlivan to join the hearing, to which İmamoğlu replied: “Of course, he is like a brother to me.”

Pehlivan was allowed to connect via video link but refused to present a defense under the circumstances, declaring:

“Without seeing my client, without being in the courtroom, and without my robe, I refuse to proceed.”

He requested to attend physically at the next hearing.

Court Ruling and Next Steps

The court issued an interim ruling:

• Requested that the Istanbul 5th Administrative Court submit its decision rejecting İmamoğlu’s appeal against diploma annulment.

• Decided that the next hearing will again be held at Silivri Prison Courtroom.

• Rejected Pehlivan’s request to attend in person; he will instead connect via video at the October 20 session.

Widespread Attention

The trial was closely followed by a large delegation, including:

• CHP leader Özgür Özel

• CHP MPs Ali Gökçek, Sibel Suiçmez, and Bülent Tezcan

• Dismissed Istanbul CHP Chair Özgür Çelik

• İBB Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan

• İmamoğlu’s wife Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, his father Hasan, son Selim, and sister Neslihan Yakupçebioğlu

• Families of other detained opposition mayors

• Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu

• Representatives from Izmir, Antalya, and Kocaeli Bar Associations

• International legal organizations

High Stakes for İmamoğlu

The indictment’s demand for prison time and political ban could bar İmamoğlu from running in the 2026 presidential election. For now, the case underscores the escalating political and judicial pressures surrounding Turkey’s opposition leader.