The Turkish Foreign Ministry categorically rejected recent complaints that question the authenticity of the Foreign Minister’s academic titles. Suspicions of fake degrees have taken on political dimensions, with the government talking about a “defamation campaign” and the opposition citing them as an indication of institutional crisis and loss of confidence in the state.
What does the Turkish Foreign Minister answer
According to ministry sources, the Center for the Combat of the Presidency (DMM) and the Higher Education Council (Yök) have already responded by official documents to allegations.
“The undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degree of the Minister, together with their equality certificates, were published by DMM on May 15, 2025,” he said.
Yök has repeatedly confirmed the equivalence of Fidan’s securities, while the Ministry of National Education forwarded a response to a parliamentary question on June 12, 2025.
The Foreign Ministry described the revival of the complaints “Continuing a systematic campaign of defamation”, attributed to circles associated with the Fetö organization. “Unfounded accusations aimed at our minister are repeatedly promoted by Fetö and similar structures,” sources said characteristically, adding that legal procedures have been initiated.
The “bomb” of 2025: The undergraduate in the US
In February 2025, academic and journalist Emre Uslu openly challenged the undergraduate title of Fidan from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). At the time he allegedly graduated, the university did not offer BSC degree in Political Science, but only BA in the social sciences.
A few months later, CHP MP Murat Emir revealed that UMUC is not included in the Higher Education Council (Yök) equivalence list, causing Fidan to present the relevant document. The minister responded with a lawsuit for slander.
Parallel Case: Ekrem Imoglou
The controversy over Fidan coincides with the case of Mayor of Constantinople ,. At the end of July, O.
His arrest has caused the biggest demonstrations in Turkey since 2013. His title cancellation can block his candidacy for the Presidency, as the Constitution requires a university degree.
Analysts see the two cases as part of a wider political -government -opposition political match.
Hakan Fidan’s academic background
Hakan Fidan began his career in the Armed Forces, serving as a officer in Turkish land forces from 1986 to 2001. He specialized in military communications and technology, gaining strong operational discipline.
He then studied in the United States, obtaining a degree in Administration and Political Science from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), officially recognized by Yök.
Upon his return to Turkey, he completed postgraduate studies at Bilkend University with a work on the role of foreign policy services. He later obtained a doctorate from the same university, with a dissertation on “Digital Age Diplomacy”, where he analyzed the contribution of IT to verification of international agreements.
