Ekrem İmamoğlu's university degree revoked: 'I won't collapse on this path' Ekrem İmamoğlu on stage, with his hands outstretchedSource, Getty Images Photo caption, Ekrem İmamoğlu held a rally in Diyarbakır on March 16. March 18, 2025, 18:29 +03 Updated an hour ago Istanbul University has revoked the diploma of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. İmamoğlu reacted to the decision in a video he posted on his social media account after the decision. The IMM President said, "Ekrem İmamoğlu's university degree is being revoked after 31 years. And in an unlawful manner. In other words, the university does not have the authority to revoke a diploma. But, as if they were stealing something from a fire, the prosecutor's office's excessive pressures, writings, comedy, comings and goings, writings, pressures, calls from Ankara, etc. are very interesting." "I don't care about the cancellation of diplomas today, all the acquired rights of everyone in this country are now in danger," said İmamoğlu, adding, "They have forgotten something. From now on, we have no solution other than the legitimacy that will emerge with the power of the nation. We will make a great effort for this. In a place where there is no state of law, let alone law, there is no question of a democratic race anymore." İmamoğlu also said, "They say, 'What are you going to do?' I swear I will continue to run like a lion. There is no stopping. If I run a thousand, I will run a million. We will build a system that will erase the injustice of this country from its memory. Those who deserve it will get what they deserve. I will not collapse on this path." Istanbul University announced that it will send all the information and documents regarding its decision to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Presidency of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). The university did not mention İmamoğlu's name in the statement, but stated that 28 people who transferred to the English program of the Faculty of Business Administration in 1990 illegally, contrary to the decisions of the Council of Higher Education and the conditions sought by the legislation, had their diplomas revoked on the grounds of "absence" and "clear error". Anadolu Agency (AA) said Ekrem İmamoğlu was among these 28 people. İmamoğlu, who was the only candidate in the primary elections to be held by the Republican People's Party (CHP) on March 23, was expected to be declared the party's presidential candidate. In Türkiye, a higher education is required to be a candidate for president. İmamoğlu argued that the authority to cancel the diploma lies solely with the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Business Administration. İmamoğlu said, "The days when those who made this decision will be held accountable before history and justice are near. The march of our nation, thirsty for justice, law and democracy, cannot be stopped." BBC Turkish is now on WhatsApp. Click to follow us and have our news delivered directly to your phone. Can the decision be appealed? İmamoğlu has avenues for appeal against the cancellation decision. The IMM Mayor's lawyers can file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court. If the court makes a negative decision, İmamoğlu has the right to appeal to the regional administrative court (appeal) and then to the Council of State. İmamoğlu's lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, who previously spoke to BBC Turkish, said that if the diploma is canceled, they will also apply to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. Yavaş: 'Nobody should think that we will remain silent' CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said in his first statement after the decision, "Ekrem Mayor is not the perpetrator here, but the action taken is not legal, but political." Özel said, "We will give the clearest political response to this political action. We are continuing on our path with determination. We will all be at the ballot box together on Sunday. We support Ekrem İmamoğlu." Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş also said, "Unfortunately, Turkish democracy has entered another phase." Yavaş said, "No one should think that we will remain silent or enjoy the fact that İmamoğlu's right to candidacy is taken away from him by an unlawful and undemocratic coercion." Yavaş, who said, "I do not accept this injustice done to our President Ekrem," announced that he will suspend his decision to evaluate his candidacy for the presidency later "until this unlawfulness is eliminated." The DEM Party described the cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma as "a clear usurpation of rights and law." In a written statement made on social media, it was stated that "The action is not legal, it is political. It means instrumentalizing the university for political purposes." İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu commented on the cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma as "a practice that goes far beyond the elimination of a political rival." Dervişoğlu said, "I call on those who think they are governing Türkiye to take responsibility. Do not let the country suffer." DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan said, "This is a decision that was taken by ignoring the basic principles of administrative law, law and transaction security." Babacan said, "We are experiencing another one of the most obvious examples of designing politics with administrative and judicial power." CHP deputies present at the TBMM General Assembly gathered around the podium and chanted, "There is no salvation alone,