Istanbul's jailed Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared in a prison courtroom Friday over claims he had fraudulently obtained his university diploma, the first hearing in the case of the popular opposition figure whose arrest earlier this year triggered nationwide protests,
AP reports.
Imamoglu was greeted with cheers and applause by supporters as he entered the courtroom in Silivri Prison, west of Istanbul. His family, senior opposition politicians and former university classmates were present for the hearing, according to media reports.
The prosecution is demanding a prison sentence of between 2½ and 8¾ years and a political ban for alleged forgery of official documents.
Istanbul University nullified Imamoglu’s diploma in March, citing alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus. The action set off protests as students faced down police in support of the mayor.
Imamoglu was arrested the following day on claims of corruption and terror links, which led to hundreds of thousands flooding the streets in Turkey’s largest protests in more than a decade. He has since remained behind bars.
Imamoglu is the main political threat to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 22-year rule. He was selected as the presidential candidate for Turkey's main opposition CHP party shortly after his arrest. In Turkey, a college degree is a prerequisite to running for president, making Imamoglu's university diploma essential to his challenge to Erdogan.
During the judge's opening remarks, Imamoglu made a jab at Erdogan, who unsubstantiated rumors say did not graduate from university.
