OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2011. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Perm region (Perm OFAS Russia) received a letter from the Prosecutor’s Office of the Perm region that it had reversed the order to close a criminal case against the Highway Agency of the Perm Region, “Upravtodor” GAU and “Uralmostostroi” CJSC, which had been initiated upon the signs of violating Article 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Preventing, Restricting or Eliminating Competition”, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 29th July 2010, the Department of Internal Affairs in the Perm region initiated a criminal case based upon the findings of the Commission of Perm OFAS Russia.

Earlier the Commission of Perm OFAS Russia found that in April – December 20009 the Highway Agency of the Perm Region, “Upravtodor” GAU and “Uralmostostroi” CJSC restricted entry of economic entities to the market of highway capital construction, repair and maintenance. Organising an open tender, “Upravtodor” GAU, upon an agreement with the Highway Agency of the Perm Region, set unreasonably short deadline for filing the bids and a shortened contract execution period. Participants to the agreement also maintained the price in course of the open tender.

Perm Regional Arbitration Court and the 17th Arbitration Appeal Court confirmed legitimacy of the decision made by the Commission of Perm OFAS Russia.

As pointed out by Deputy Head of Perm OFAS Russia, Mr. Anton Udalyev, this is the first criminal case initiated in the Perm region upon the signs of violating Article 178 of the Criminal Code. “In view of the position taken by the Arbitration Courts we hope for just decisions on these cases”, added Mr. Udalyev.