Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was greeted with cheering and applause as he entered the courtroom in Silivri Prison on Friday for the initial hearing of a case alleging he fraudulently obtained his university diploma.

This case has sparked nationwide protests earlier this year, highlighting the political tensions within Turkey.The prosecution is demanding a prison sentence ranging from 2×5 years to 8×4 years and a political ban for Imamoglu over accusations of forging official documents.

The controversy revolves around his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus in 1990, with Istanbul University claiming there were alleged irregularities.

In response to the nullification of his diploma by Istanbul University in March, students took to the streets in support of the mayor, facing off against police.Following these events, Imamoglu was arrested on charges of corruption and links to terrorism, leading to Turkiye's largest protests in over a decade.

He has remained behind bars since his arrest.

Imamoglu is seen as a significant political threat to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 22-year rule.

Shortly after his arrest, he was selected as the presidential candidate for Turkey's main opposition CHP party.

In Turkey, possessing a university degree is a prerequisite for becoming president, making this case crucial in his challenge against Erdogan.Silivri Prison, also known formally as Marmara Closed Penal Institution, houses several members of the CHP who have been detained under a widespread crackdown on opponents over the past year.

Imamoglu faces at least seven other criminal cases that could potentially lead to his political ban.The CHP claims these allegations are part of a government strategy aimed at weakening the opposition and ensuring another five-year term for Erdogan.

The government, however, denies such claims and maintains that Turkey's courts operate independently.