CRIMINAL CASE IS OPENED AGAINST SAMARA AND ULYANOVSK CARTEL

It is based on materials compiled by FAS Anti-Cartel Department on a case about anticompetitive agreements concluded by “Samaratransstroi” Ltd., “Ulyanovsktransstroi” Ltd. and “C.I.T.Y” Ltd.

In October 2018, FAS found that the above entities violated Clause 2 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” by concluding two anticompetitive agreements for the purposes of maintaining auction prices: between “Samaratransstroi” Ltd. and “Ulyanovsktransstroi”- at 9 auctions for the total amount over 2.5 billion RUB. “Samaratransstroi” and “C.I.T.Y” – at four auctions for the total amount – 1.7 billion RUB.

The materials of the antimonopoly case were forwarded to the Ministry of Interior to verify whether actions of top-executives of “Samaratransstroi” Ltd., “Ulyanovsktransstroi” Ltd. and “C.I.T.Y” Ltd. had signs of a criminal offence.

The Investigation Department of the Investigation Committee of the Ministry of Interior in Samara opened a criminal case upon elements of an offence under Part 1 Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation upon the fact of restricting competition by concluding a competition-restricting agreement between economic entities – competitors.

Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department Andrey Tenishev said that “cartels are the most dangerous encroachment on competition as a constitutional value, so the guilty ones should be liable not only administratively but also criminally”.