Jailed Turkish opposition leader to face new trial on Sept 11

Istanbul's jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the top opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will face a new trial starting September 11 on a charge of falsifying his university diploma.

Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 and suspended from office, accused of corruption and various other charges, which he denies.

His jailing triggered massive protests against Erdogan, whom opponents accuse of seeking to sideline opponents ahead of presidential elections in 2028.

The day before his arrest, Imamoglu, 55, was stripped of his management degree by the University of Istanbul's board, which would prevent him from running for president.

He will be tried by an Istanbul court for "repeated falsification of official documents" over alleged irregularities in his degree, according to the charges submitted by prosecutors, which AFP viewed Tuesday.

Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence ranging from two years and six months to eight years and nine months, according to state news agency Anadolu.

He could also be barred from all political activity.

Imamoglu has called the move to strip him of his diploma "illegal", saying the university board overstepped its authority.

He went on trial last month in a separate case on charges of threatening Istanbul's public prosecutor.

He told the court the case was an attack on government opponents and free speech.