The allegations about the illegitimacy of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's university degrees, which have spread in the Turkish media in recent months, have been officially rejected by the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Center for Combating Disinformation under the Presidency's Communications Directorate. This was reported by the public media TRT Haber, BTA reports.
In May, opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Murat Emir publicly expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Fidan's educational degrees. Some Turkish media outlets spread his statements, which caused a wave of comments and doubts in society.
In an official statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry described the accusations as “false“ and stated that it is a word about “another smear campaign against the institution“, organized by FETO (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization), which Ankara blames for the failed coup attempt in 2016.
In parallel, the Center for Combating Disinformation published a statement on social media, in which it also denied the allegations regarding Fidan's diplomas. A report prepared by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) confirming the legitimacy of the educational documents was attached to the statement.
“Do not succumb to unfounded suggestions aimed at manipulating public opinion“, the Center stated.
The Imamoglu case heightens tensions
In parallel with the controversy over Fidan's diplomas, at the end of July the master's degree of the man arrested in March on charges of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's corruption degree was annulled by Istanbul University. At the same time, prosecutors have opened an investigation against him for forging documents.
Imamoğlu, who is among the leading figures in the main opposition party (HKP), denies all charges. His detention has sparked the largest wave of protests in Turkey since 2013, according to observers.
In June this year, İmamoğlu was announced as the HKP's official candidate for the 2028 presidential election. However, the annulment of his university degree could prevent him from running, as the constitution requires a university degree to participate in the presidential race.
The two cases, Fidan's and İmamoğlu's, are seen by many analysts as part of a broader political struggle between the ruling party and the opposition, in the context of the upcoming local and presidential elections. According to opposition figures, the government is using institutions to selectively apply the law and discrediting key political rivals.
At the same time, the ruling party insists that the actions against Imamoglu are not politically motivated, but are the result of a judicial procedure aimed at protecting the rule of law.