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Ekrem Imamoglu. Another invitation from the chief prosecutor. / EkremImamoglu.com
Erdogan challenger Imamoglu hit with new probe day after he applies to run for Turkish presidency
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Turkey has initiated another investigation into Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. This time investigators are examining claims that his university diploma is fake and that he “forged” official documents, state-run news service Anadolu Agency has reported.
The probe was announced one day after, on February 21, Imamoglu applied to become the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate for president. Imamoglu lately called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to engage in
an “honest” fight for the presidency as he accused Turkey’s leader of more than two decades of attempting to
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manoeuvre him out of politics with judicial conspiracies.
On March 23, the CHP is set to confirm Imamoglu as its candidate for the presidency.
“This investigation shows how much they fear Imamoglu,” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel was cited by local media as saying in Erzincan on February 22.
The new move against Imamoglu comes as prosecutors investigate
leaders of Turkey’s top business association, Tusiad, following a ‘state- of-the-nation’ attack they made on the Erdogan administration in speeches given at their group’s annual assembly. An angered Erdogan warned the Tusiad officials they had “overstepped”.
The latest investigation into Imamoglu is being conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Imamoglu has been asked to attend the office on February 26 to provide a statement.
“This investigation shows how much they fear Imamoglu”