Istanbul prosecutors have filed an indictment against suspended city mayor and opposition presidential hopeful Ekrem İmamoğlu, accusing him of forging his 1995 business-administration diploma. The 20-page document seeks a prison term ranging from two years and six months to eight years and nine months, along with a ban from political office. The indictment alleges İmamoğlu fraudulently transferred from Northern Cyprus-based Girne American University to Istanbul University and obtained his diploma through unlawful means. Istanbul University annulled the degree on 18 March, prompting the investigation, which the Higher Education Council later supported with a report on the diploma’s authenticity. İmamoğlu, already in pre-trial detention since March on separate corruption charges, denies wrongdoing and has challenged the university’s decision in court. The case has been forwarded to a criminal court of first instance; if accepted, a trial date will be set, potentially preventing the 54-year-old from contesting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2028 election.