The Turkish president's main political rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, was set to be nominated as his party's pick for presidential candidate this weekend. But Istanbul Univesity revoked Imamoglu's degree, disqualifying him.

Ekrem Imamoglu was detained at his home, according to prosecutors, who said the charges against him were related to corruption and terrorism.

Ruling can deprive him of the chance to challenge Erdogan for the presidency.

The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, a popular opposition leader, marks a dramatic escalation in a government crackdown.

Imamoglu, the popular 53-year-old mayor was seen as the next opposition party candidate for the Turkish presidency.

Turkish police have arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terror links.

On Tuesday, Istanbul University ruled that Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu’s 1995 degree was falsely obtained, revoking it amid a forgery probe. The decision could derail his presidential hopes, though he vows to fight it in court while leading the CHP against Erdoğan’s AK Party.

Istanbul Mayor arrested amid corruption probe, jeopardizing his future political aspirations in Turkey's presidential race.

A university has invalidated Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's diploma in a move widely perceived as politically motivated.