The rectorate of a Turkish university, which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a graduate of, has refused to disclose information on the Turkish leader’s university degree, which has been long questioned in opposition circles.
The Marmara University Rectorate has released a statement saying that it does not release information concerning its graduate students to third parties, even if they are close relatives, without the knowledge and consent of the person in question, T24 news site reported on Tuesday.
In April, Turkey’s opposition leftist People’s Liberation Party (HKP) applied to Marmara University to obtain information about Erdoğan’s university degree.
In accordance with “the law on the protection of personal data”, no action has been taken regarding the documents and information requested in a petition submitted by the HKP,” Marmara’s statement said.
Erdoğan’s opponents claim that the Turkish leader does not hold a four-year degree, which is a prerequisite for becoming Turkey’s president.
Access to the archive of Marmara University was blocked by a ruling of Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of Peace on July 18, 2014 after critics demanded the original version of Erdoğan’s diploma. The block was later lifted.
Ahval