MOSCOW, July 16 - RAPSI. The Federal Security Service (FSB) has put a stop to the illegal activity of a former security services officer and a private detective who were illegally gathering information on the private lives of high-ranking officials by unlafully wiretapping telephone conversations, the service reported on Monday.

"The flats and offices of former security services officer Smirnov and private detective Mikhaylenko, as well as the premises of private security firm Belgan, have been searched as part of the criminal case," reads the report.

Small arms ammunition was also found when the firm was searched, the FSB said.

The violation of the right to privacy and the violation of correspondence secrecy are punishable by up to four years in prison.

The investigation is still in progress, the service said.

Belgan was set up in 1997 on the basis of Panasonic official dealer's security service. The Presidential Administrative Directorate is listed as one of the firm's clients on its website. Other clients include industrial enterprises, educational institutions, residential estates and offices.