Rustam Minnikhanov congratulates employees of the RT Department of Federal Security Service on professional holiday

“Tatarstan leadership puts high hopes on work of employees of the RT Department of Federal Security Service in ensuring safety at forthcoming Universiade,” the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said at a solemn event dated to the Day of worker of State security bodies of Russia. Vice-premier of the Tatarstan Government Asgat Safarov, and Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin participated in the event.

Opening the solemn event, Chief of the RT Department of Federal Security Service Aleksandr Antonov read out greetings on behalf of the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated employees of the RT Department of Federal Security Service on the holiday.

“Security bodies have always played a key role in protection of national interests of the country, liquidation of threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The history of domestic special services is rich in examples of real patriotism and selflessness.

Modern reality requires efficient work in the sphere of counterterrorism, counterintelligence activity and protection of the state border. The priority task is counteraction against international terrorism. The Federal Security Service fulfills serious and multiple-aspect work aimed at ensuring peaceful life of our citizens.

For the last two years the RT Department of Federal Security Service have revealed and prevented activity of six radical extremist groups that planned conducting terrorist acts in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Due to professional and accurate actions of employees of the Federal Security Service and the interior bodies, terrorists who committed terrorist acts against leaders of Spiritual Muslim Board on July 19 were found and punished.

This year we have seen concrete results of activity on counteraction against economic crimes, protection of budget enterprises from criminal deeds, narcotic interdiction and anti-corruption enforcement.

Another important event, Universiade 2013, will require mobilization of all efforts and resources, accurate and professional actions of all law enforcement bodies. Ensuring safety of the games is our principal task. Your courage, self-control and dedication to your mission will guarantee success. We put high hopes on work of special services.

It is symbolic that a lot of veterans of security agencies are present here today. It means that the older generation passes on best traditions of state security bodies to younger generation, ensuring continuity of knowledge and skills, commitment to law, military honour, humanism and responsibility to the Motherland and society.

I thank all employees and veterans of the RT Department of Federal Security Service for your hard work. I congratulate you on your professional holiday and wish strong health, peace and wellbeing.”

President of Tatarstan presented awards to employees of the RT Department of Federal Security Service.