OREANDA-NEWS. On January 23, 2009 the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) fined "Gazprom" OJSC 157 716 637 Rubles for violating the antimonopoly legislation, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

In September 2008, FAS Russia found that "Gazprom" OJSC violated Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". "Gazprom" OJSC violated the law because the company prevented entry of "Trans Nafta" CJSC to the market of gas supplies and transportation to the Republic of Tatarstan without any economic or technological justification, and also put "Trans Nafta" CJSC in unequal conditions with other economic entities that supply and transport gas to the Republic of Tatarstan, including economic entities - members of the same group of persons with "Gazprom" OJSC.

Recognized violation of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" constitutes the grounds for imposing a fine under Article 14.31 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations - from one hundredth to fifteen hundredth of the proceeds gained by the violator by selling goods (services, works) on the market, where the violation was committed. Taking into consideration the current economic situation, FAS Russia determined the amount of the fine closer to the lower level of the statutory sanctions.