Details added (first version posted on 11:33)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 12

Trend:

More than 500 employees of the Azerbaijani State Security Service have been dismissed within one year's time frame, Madat Guliyev, lieutenant-general, head of the service, told reporters in Baku Dec. 12.

He added that those employees were dismissed as part of a criminal case filed in connection with the now liquidated National Security Ministry.

Guliyev also said that more than 20 people were detained.

The General Prosecutor's Office filed a criminal case October 17, 2015 in accordance with the relevant articles of the country’s Criminal Code.

The criminal case was filed in connection with illegal interference in the work of businesses and wiretapping by violating the legislative requirements on operational-investigative activity by the relevant structures of the National Security Ministry.