OREANDA-NEWS. June 15, 2011. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) received an answer from the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation, reporting that in order to eliminate the revealed violations of the Law “On Protection of Competition” 17 submissions were made to the Head of the Departments of Internal Affairs and Departments of State Road Traffic Safety Inspection in the Primorie region and economic entities. Also, five files were sent to preliminary investigation agencies in order to initiate criminal prosecution of the persons who set unreasonable restrictions with regard to motor vehicles inspections.

In 2010 Primorie Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (Primorie FAS Russia) held a visiting session in Bolshoy Kamen’, involving representatives of non-governmental organizations and town residents, where OFAS considered an antimonopoly case against the Authority of the Primorie Region, the Office of the State Road Traffic Safety Inspection (GIBDD) and the Office of Internal Affairs in the Primorie Region.

The circumstances of the case, explanations given to the FAS Russia’s Commission, as well as materials collected in other municipalities throughout the Primorie region, allowed FAS Russia to conclude that certain officials of the Authority of the Primorie Region and the leadership of the Office of the State Road Traffic Safety Inspection (GIBDD) and the Office of Internal Affairs in the Primorie Region have formed and maintained the system of illegal charges to the motor vehicles owners trying to obtain state registration and pass motor vehicle inspection. Attempting to pass a motor vehicle inspection, many car owners in the Primorie region did not have an option but to pay for a “commercial” motor vehicle inspection 4000 – 7000 Rubles instead of and official fee 750 Rubles.

“Taking into account significant public attention as well as the fact that complaints to the responsible regional authorities had not brought positive results, FAS Russia forwarded the case files to the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation, and received an answer, according to which we are able to conclude that those actions were illegal”, explained the Head of the FAS Russia’s Anti-Cartel Department, Alexander Kinev.