OREANDA-NEWS. February 01, 2010. The 4th Arbitration Appeal Court confirmed validity of the decision and determination issued by the Trans-Baikal Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (OFAS Russia) on the case on collusion among oil companies, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 1st October 2008, the Trans-Baikal OFAS Russia found that "Neftemarket" OJSC, "Region" Ltd., "Capital" Group of Companies" Ltd. and individual entrepreneurs S. Sukharevich and N. Sukharevich violated Clause 1 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". The market participants violated the law by exercising concerted actions for fixing and maintaining retail prices for oil products (petrol grades АI-80, АI-92 and АI-95 and diesel fuel) in the retail market of oil products in the Trans-Baikal region.

The Trans-Baikal OFAS Russia issued a determination to the economic entities to stop anticompetitive actions and to avoid such actions hereafter. OFAS initiated administrative proceedings against the companies under Article 14.32 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations and imposed turnover fines. The total size of fines was more than 50 million Rubles.

"Neftemarket" OJSC repeatedly challenged the OFAS Russia's decision and determination in Arbitration Courts. Determinations on imposing fines upon "Neftemarket" OJSC, "Region" Ltd. and "Capital" Group of Companies" Ltd. were also appealed and currently the proceedings are suspended.

On 17th March 2009, the Trans-Baikal Regional Arbitration Court dismissed the claim of "Neftemarket" OJSC on invalidating the OFAS Russia's decision and determination. The 4th Arbitration Appeal Court revoked the judgment of the Trans-Baikal Regional Arbitration Court. The Federal Arbitration Court of the East Siberian District revoked the judgments of the Courts of the First and Second Instances and returned the case for reconsideration to the Trans-Baikal Regional Arbitration Court. Then the Courts of two instances confirmed validity of the decision and determination issued by the antimonopoly body.