Türkiye has recently been at a critical crossroads between democracy and authoritarianism. The arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the cancellation of his university degree have led to widespread protests across the country. These actions, led particularly by university students, have become a resistance movement against the government’s increasingly oppressive policies.
İmamoğlu’s Arrest and Cancellation of His Degree
On March 18, 2025, Istanbul University canceled Ekrem İmamoğlu’s degree on the grounds that there were irregularities in his transfer from a private university in Northern Cyprus to Istanbul University in 1990. This decision eliminated İmamoğlu’s possibility of running for the 2028 presidential elections.
The following day, on March 19, 2025, İmamoğlu and more than 100 people with him were detained on charges of corruption and links to the terrorist organization PKK. These arrests have been viewed by opposition and human rights organizations as politically motivated.
Ironically, while the fate of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s university degree has still not been clarified for years, opposition leader İmamoğlu’s degree has been revoked. Doubts about whether Erdoğan actually has a university degree are still being discussed in the public domain, but to date, no transparent documentation or independent verification has been produced on the subject.
Since the protests began, around 2,000 people have been detained nationwide, including a significant number of university students. Around 200 people are currently being held in custody.
Protests Led by University Students
İmamoğlu’s arrest and the revocation of his degree have caused a huge backlash among university students. Istanbul University students expressed their anger by boycotting classes and organizing protests on campus. These actions spread to other universities and turned into a student movement across the country.
Students have raised their voices against the oppression at universities with the slogan “If there is violence, there is no class.” Middle East Technical University (METU) students also protested the government’s oppressive policies by organizing marches on their campuses.
Calls for an Economic Boycott
Following İmamoğlu’s arrest, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel called for an economic boycott against companies close to the government. This call was supported by students and civil society organizations. Government officials, however, reacted harshly, describing these boycotts as “economic sabotage” and announced that legal action would be taken.
The Role of the Academy and International Reactions
Academics and universities in Türkiye supported the students’ protests and emphasized that academic freedoms must be protected. In forums held at Istanbul University, a decision was made for an academic boycott and it was stated that university administrations should be more resistant to government pressures.
In the international arena, the Council of Europe and various human rights organizations criticized İmamoğlu’s arrest and the democratic setbacks in Türkiye, calling on the government to respect the rule of law.
The Future of Türkiye and the Responsibility of the International Community
Türkiye is at a critical juncture between democracy and authoritarianism. İmamoğlu’s arrest and the rise of student movements demonstrate the desire of broad segments of society to embrace democratic values. It is of great importance for the international community to take responsibility for the protection of democratic institutions and the defense of human rights in Türkiye.
