The imprisoned mayor of Istanbul and Republican People's Party presidential candidate for Turkey, Ekrem Imamoglu, appeared in court again on charges of "forgery of official documents" after his university degree obtained 31 years ago was annulled.

During his testimony, Imamoglu warned that those who have targeted him “will flee like rats,” openly attacking state media. He directly mentioned TRT and Anadolu Agency, which he called “paid executioners with no reputation and no personality.” The case is related to the decision of the University of Istanbul, which on March 18, 2025, annulled Imamoglu’s degree, citing “manifest error” and “invalidity” regarding his transfer from an institution in occupied Cyprus. According to his lawyers, no similar procedures have been initiated against other students from the same period.

Imamoglu described the indictment as full of “lies and slander,” accusing the government of perverting the course of justice. He stated that the issue was not about his degree, but about his political elimination as an opponent in the upcoming presidential elections. In his defense, he spoke of a “political coup attempt on March 19,” claiming that the cost to the country exceeded $250 billion. He criticized the presidential system for concentrating power in a single person, calling it a threat to democracy.

Imamoglu also accused the judiciary of a “totally political” process and warned that “the ballot boxes will come” and that those responsible will be held accountable. This was his fourth appearance in court on the diploma issue. The court decided to postpone the trial until July 6.