OREANDA-NEWS. June 09, 2009. The Moscow Arbitration Court dismissed the claim of "Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg" Ltd. on invalidating a decision and determination of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia).

FAS Russia processed the case against a group of persons including "Gazprom" OJSC and "Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg" Ltd. upon a petition of several Russian consumers of granulated sulphur.

Investigating the case, FAS Russia revealed that the group of persons including "Gazprom" OJSC and "Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg" Ltd. violated the antimonopoly legislation by fixing monopolistically high prices for granulated sulphur.

Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" prohibits actions (lack of actions) of an economic entity that has dominant position if they lead or can lead to preventing, restricting or eliminating competition and (or) infringing the interests of other persons.

Having investigated the case, FAS Russia found that the group of persons including "Gazprom" OJSC and "Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg" Ltd. violated Clause 1 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" and issued a determination to eliminate the violations.

"Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg" Ltd. disagreed with decision and determination of the Antimonopoly Service and filed a lawsuit. The Court, however, confirmed validity of the FAS Russia's position.