Breaking News... Operation by MIT against Israeli agents
Businesspeople Mehmet Budak Derya and Veysel Kerimoğlu, who were alleged to have been missing for a long time, have been taken into custody in an operation conducted by the MIT against Mossad. It was revealed that the pair had been engaged in espionage activities for the Israeli Intelligence Service.
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The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has taken into custody businesspeople Mehmet Budak Derya and Veysel Kerimoğlu, who were determined to be operating on behalf of the Israeli Intelligence Service (MOSSAD). The operation, carried out within the scope of the "MONITUM activity" conducted by the MIT, was organized in coordination with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Counter-Terrorism Branch of the Provincial Security Directorate. Reports that Mehmet Budak Derya and Veysel Kerimoğlu were missing shed light on the background of the detention operation.
THERE HAD BEEN NO TRACE FOR THREE WEEKS
In recent weeks, many reports had emerged stating that Mehmet Budak Derya and Veysel Kerimoğlu had gone missing. News sites, including those belonging to the pro-government media, had announced that the businesspeople were missing. However, the operation revealed that the claims of them being missing were actually part of a cover-up activity.
Mehmet Budak Derya had started marble trading with a company he founded in 2005. However, in 2012, he made contact with the Israeli Intelligence Service (MOSSAD) through an agent codenamed "Ali Ahmed Yassın." Derya, who held face-to-face meetings with intelligence officials in Europe in 2013, regularized his relations and began operating for Israel.
THEY COLLECTED INTELLIGENCE ON PALESTINIAN DISSIDENTS
Israeli agents asked Mehmet Budak Derya to hire Veysel Kerimoğlu, a Palestinian-born Turkish citizen. Derya hired Kerimoğlu, providing him with salary and other support from Israeli intelligence. During this process, information was collected on Palestinian dissidents, and this data was transmitted to Israel.
In 2016, Derya and Kerimoğlu decided to enter the drone parts trade. Israeli Intelligence supported this trade plan and provided the initial samples. However, as a result of the meetings held during this process, various classified information regarding drone technology was obtained and shared. Furthermore, one of the critical figures in this process, Mohamed Zouari, was killed in Tunisia in 2016.
PLAN TO ESTABLISH A FRONT COMPANY
In early 2026, Derya held a meeting with Israeli agents abroad. Following this meeting, they decided to establish a front company that would operate under the guise of international trade. This company was to manage the supply and shipment processes of designated products on behalf of intelligence. For this purpose, it was decided to open a bank account, set up a website, and prepare social media accounts.
SUBJECTED TO A POLYGRAPH TEST
Derya was subjected to a polygraph test by Israeli Intelligence in Asia in 2016 and in Europe in 2024. He passed both tests successfully. He received instructions via a cryptographic communication system and purchased technological products, SIM cards, modems, and routers from Turkey. He also transmitted the labels and serial numbers of these products to Israel.
MIT'S OPERATION
Following years of surveillance activities, the MIT deciphered the relationships of Mehmet Budak Derya and Veysel Kerimoğlu with the Israeli Intelligence Service. With the detention decision taken by the Istanbul Security Directorate and the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the two businesspeople were arrested.