Turkish authorities arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and several opposition figures on Wednesday, just days before the Republican People’s Party (CHP) primary, where İmamoğlu was expected to be named the party’s 2028 presidential candidate. While officially facing charges related to “corruption” and “terrorism,” many view the arrest as politically motivated, as it coincides with a major career moment for İmamoğlu.
The arrest follows an even more surprising move: Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s bachelor’s degree just a day earlier, citing an “obvious error.” Under Turkish law, a lack of a college degree would bar İmamoğlu from running for president, adding another layer of controversy to his political predicament.
This series of events raises significant questions about the political landscape in Turkey and whether these legal actions are designed to thwart a potential challenge to President Erdoğan’s power.
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Turkiye President Tayyip Erdogan Reuters pic Via FMT -Creative Commons 4-0
