FAS discussed cartels with Khakassia law-enforcement bodies

An inter-departmental meeting in the Republic of Khakassia continued a series of regional FAS measures aimed at explaining the practice of exposing and suppressing cartels

Upon a FAS initiative, an inter-departmental meeting took place in the Republic of Khakassia. Attendees include representatives of the antimonopoly body, FAS Office in the Republic of Khakassia, Heads of law enforcement bodies and regulators in Khakassia. The discussions focused on cooperation between different bodies to counter cartels.

Deputy Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department, Olga Franskevich, emphasized that cartels inflict multi-billion damages to the state, undermine the national economic security and result in excessive prices for the population. Practice of antimonopoly and law enforcement bodies also shows that bid-rigging, typically, keeps abreast with corruption among the ordering parties.

Concluding concealed unlawful agreements, cartels infringe the interests of consumers and gain superprofits.

Deputy Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department, Vladimir Mokh pointed out: “Establishing and participating in cartels incur not only administrative but also criminal liability.  If holding administratively liable falls under FAS competence, then holding cartel organizers criminally liable is the prerogative of the law enforcement bodies”.

Heads of Khakassia law enforcement bodies agreed with the importance of continuing joint efforts and cooperation with the Antimonopoly Service to enable timely and necessary response to offences.