OREANDA-NEWS. December 22, 2008. The Kursk office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (OFAS Russia) found that "Kurskoblnefteproduct" Ltd. and "Aleksia" Ltd. violated Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" (concerted actions). "Aleksia" Ltd. took advantage of the leniency programme under Article 14.32 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations and was relieved of administrative liability, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 16th December 2008, the Antimonopoly Office fined "Kurskoblnefteproduct" Ltd. 3 031 960 Rubles under Article 14.32 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations for engaging in concerted actions.

"Kurskoblnefteproduct" Ltd. and "Aleksia" Ltd. operate on the retail oil products market and are competitors.

"Kurskoblnefteproduct" Ltd. and "Aleksia" Ltd. violated the law by fixing the same prices for petrol (grades АI-80, АI-92, АI-95) and diesel fuel at the fuel stations, that belong to the companies, from 1st April to 1st August 2008. The companies were also simultaneously changing the retail prices for the above products.

Investigating the case, the Kursk OFAS Russia established that "Kurskoblnefteproduct" Ltd. and "Aleksia" Ltd. did not have identical market conditions for entrepreneurial activities on retail selling of oil products that affect pricing on the retail market. Therefore, fixing the same retail prices at the petrol stations by these economic entities could not be conditional upon market factors.

Article 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" prohibits concerted actions of economic entities operating on the goods market if such concerted actions result or can result in fixing or maintaining prices (tariffs), discounts, additional charges (surcharges), mark-ups.