OREANDA-NEWS. Orenburg Regional Arbitration Court, the18th Arbitration Appeal Court and the Federal Arbitration Court of the Urals District upheld the decision, the determination and the order issued by the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Orenburg region (Orenburg OFAS Russia) on a case on concerted actions on market of accepting payments in Buguruslan, the Orenburg region.

In 2012 Orenburg OFAS Russia investigated a case against 16 entities, including the “Savings Bank of Russia” OJSC and the “Russian Post” Federal State Unitary Enterprise.

The entities concluded an oral agreement under which Buguruslan residents were able to pay for housing & utilities services only through certain financial organizations.

Other credit organizations, except those engaged in the concerted actions, were unable to enter the market of payment acceptance in Buguruslan.

Having investigated the case against the “Savings Bank of Russia” OJSC and the “Russian Post” Federal State Unitary Enterprise, the Commission of Orenburg OFAS Russia found a violation of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”.

The antimonopoly body fined the violators 100,000 Rubles each.

“Russian Post” disagreed with the decision and determination and challenged them at Courts of three instances.

All Courts, however, confirmed legitimacy of the position taken by the antimonopoly body and dismissed the cassation appeal.

The “Savings Bank of Russia” OJSC also disagreed with the determination issued by the antimonopoly body and filed a lawsuit and an appeal. Orenburg Regional Arbitration Court upheld the order of Orenburg OFAS Russia, but reduced the fine. The 18th Arbitration Appeal Court ruled to increase the fine to 100,000 Rubles.