Deputy minister: National Security Ministry needs reorganization
By Aynur Karimova
The activity of the National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan needs to be reorganized, Lieutenant General Madat Guliyev told reporters on December 11, while commenting on the recent arrests of top officials at the ministry.
Guliyev, who is Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister and acting Minister of National Security, said that layoffs at the Ministry will continue.
“The number of its employees should be small, and its work should be operative,” he added.
The National Security Ministry found itself in the center of corruption crimes following the dismissal of Minister Eldar Mahmudov on October 17, in accordance with the president’s decree.
Later, the Prosecutor General's Office set up an investigation group on the facts of abuse of authority and other violations of the law by various officials of the ministry.
Guliyev added that recently, over 250 people have been dismissed from the ministry in connection with them being professionally unfit. Also, a criminal case was launched by the Prosecutor General’s Office as part of the investigation related to the National Security Ministry.
“People involved in the criminal case are brought to justice, and every person who has committed a crime will be held legally responsible,” he said.
In October, the Prosecutor General's Office reported that the officials of the National Security Ministry are suspected of abusing the authority, violating the requirements of the law on operative search and the unlawful interference with business entities’ activity.
The criminal cases were filed under articles 308.2 "Acts envisaged by article 308.1 (abuse of power), resulting in serious consequences, or committed to influence the election results (referendum)", 309.1 (abuse of power), 302.2 (violation of legislation on operative-search activity) of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
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