OREANDA-NEWS. On April 21, 2009 the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) fined "Gazprom Neft" OJSC for knowingly presenting false information and for failing to present the requested information in accordance with the procedures established by the antimonopoly legislation. FAS Russia needs this information to investigate the case initiated against the oil company in February 2009 for committing violations on the wholesale market of oil products, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Under Part 5 Article 19.8 of the Code on Administrative Violations, this offence is punishable by an administrative fine upon legal entities - from 350,000 to 500,000 Rubles. Determining the punishment, FAS Russia took into account repeated violations by "Gazprom Neft" OJSC of the requests from the antimonopoly bodies on presenting information in accordance with the statutory procedures. In view of the above, FAS Russia imposed maximum penalties upon the oil company provided for by Article 19.8 of the Code on Administrative Violations: 500,000 Rubles.

In the beginning of April the second judicial instance - the 13th Arbitration Appeal Court confirmed legitimacy of the administrative fine imposed by the Omsk OFAS Russia upon "Gazprom Neft" OJSC for failure to present full information required by the antimonopoly body to examine the grounds for sharp rise of prices for fuel and lubrication materials in the Omsk region from 14th February 2008 to 14th April 2008. The Arbitration Court also supported the decision made by the OFAS Russia.

In mid-March 2009, the Appeal Court allowed the appeal of FAS Russia and revoked the judgment of the Arbitration Court of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The Court passed a new judicial act, which dismissed the claim of "Gazprom Neft" OJSC on invalidating and revoking the resolution of FAS Russia that imposed administrative charges upon the company.