OREANDA-NEWS. July 27, 2012. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated a case against Arkhangelsk Regional Legislative Assembly and the Legislature of the Krasnodar Region, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia

On 1st July 2012, a new law came into force in the Arkhangelsk region, fully prohibiting retail sales of alcoholic beverages with ethanol content from 0.5% to 9% and beer beverages. A similar law is already passed by the Legislature of the Krasnodar Region and will come into force on 1st September 2012. According to the Law, however, since 1st July prohibitions are also applicable to soft tonic beverages.

FAS believes that the authorities of the Arkhangelsk and Krasnodar regions violated Part 1 Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Protecting Competition” and Part 4 Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Fundamental Principles of State Regulation of Trading Activities in the Russian Federation”.

Cases were initiated upon complaints from the National Association of Producers and Distributors of Weal Alcohol, the Union of Soft-Drink and Mineral Water Makers, and some other companies.