CRIMINAL CASE IS OPENED BASED ON A DECISION OF TOMSK OFAS

Another decision on a cartel formed the foundation of criminal proceedings under Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation

Earlier, Tomsk OFAS made a decision on a case against “TIS” Ltd., “MK TIS” Ltd., “Optima” Ltd., “TsDM” Ltd., “Med-Alliance” Ltd. and “Inter-Med” Ltd. for violating Clause 2 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”.

The companies were caught red-handed participating in a cartel throughout 140 electronic auctions and 8 quotations requests for the right to conclude contracts with healthcare facilities in Tomsk for supplying expendables and medical products as well as medical furniture, equipment, tools and machinery for the total amount exceeding 1.2 billion RUB.

The decision of Tomsk OFAS formed the grounds for opening a criminal case by the Investigation Department of the Investigation Committee of the Russian Federation in the Tomsk region upon elements of a crime under Article. 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department Andrey Tenishev commented: “Cartels in the healthcare segment, that accounts for over 30 % of public procurement, are the most dangerous for the budget as well as the population of Russia. Therefore, we continue systemic work with the law enforcement bodies designed to expose and suppress anticompetitive agreements in the most important sphere of life of the population”.