A Turkish court has rejected jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s legal challenge against the cancellation of his university degree, a ruling that further jeopardizes his ability to run for president in 2028. Without a valid degree, Imamoglu is legally barred from standing as a presidential candidate.
Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leading political rival, remains in prison while facing corruption charges and a separate sentence for insulting a prosecutor. He and his supporters argue the cases and the degree annulment are politically motivated, while the government denies interfering with the judiciary. Imamoglu plans to appeal the ruling, as opposition leaders and rights groups continue to criticize the case as a threat to democratic competition.