OREANDA-NEWS. July 18, 2011. Sverdlovsk Regional Arbitration Court pronounced legitimacy of the determination of the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Sverdlovsk region (Sverdlovsk FAS Russia) on imposing a nearly 18 million Rubles administrative fine upon “Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The administrative case was initiated upon the fact of “Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC violating Clause 1 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. Sverdlovsk FAS Russia established that retail market of oil products in Yekaterinburg is characterized by collective dominance of two economic entities - “Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC and “LUKOIL – Permnefteproduct” Ltd. From 5th December 2008 to 4th March 2009 “Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC fixed monopolistically high prices for petrol.

On 20th April 2010, Sverdlovsk FAS Russia found that “Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC committed an antimonopoly violation and imposed an administrative fine – 17,727,000 Rubles.

“Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC filed a lawsuit challenging the determination of the antimonopoly body.

The 17th Arbitration Appeal Court, Cassation Court, Sverdlovsk Regional Arbitration Court pronounced legitimacy of the conclusions made by Sverdlovsk FAS Russia regarding “Gazpromneft – Ural” OJSC.

According to the Head of Sverdlovsk FAS Russia, Ms. Tatiana Kolotova, unanimous recognition of legitimacy of OFAS decisions by Courts of all instances is very important for developing uniform judicial practices and for relieving tension on the market of sales of oil products.