COURT OF APPEAL SUPPORTED THE DECISION OF FAS IN THE CASE OF THE ROAD CARTEL IN THE LIPETSK REGION

The Ninth Arbitration Court of Appeal recognized as lawful the decision of FAS in relation to the Administration of roads and transport of the Lipetsk region, Regional State Institution “Lipetsk Avtodor” and TC Ruslan-1 LLC. Earlier, the position of the Authority was also supported by the Arbitration Court of Moscow.

In 2021, FAS recognized the public authority, the state institution and the organization as violating the antimonopoly legislation*. The companies entered into an anti-competitive agreement within the framework of an electronic auction for the repair of public roads in the districts of the Lipetsk region. The initial price of the contract was 305 million rubles.

The organizers of the auction deliberately rejected the applications of bona fide participants, thanks to which the Ruslan-1 Transport Company won the electronic auction.

For reference:

*Article 16 of the Law on Protection of Competition provides for a ban on agreements restricting competition between regional public authorities of subjects, other bodies and organizations performing their functions, as well as economic entities.