Istanbul Mayor Faces Politically Charged Imprisonment Over Disputed University Degree

In a politically motivated move that reeks of authoritarian overreach, Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is facing nine years and eight months in prison on charges of allegedly falsifying his university degree. The prosecution also demands İmamoğlu’s disqualification from public office, effectively blocking his potential presidential run against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 elections. İmamoğlu, a social democratic figure who has emerged as Erdogan’s main challenger, was arrested in March and placed under pre-trial detention accused of corruption and even collaboration with terrorist organizations—charges widely viewed as manufactured to neutralize a formidable political opponent. The legal assault centers on...