OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2013. Moscow Arbitration Court dismissed the claim of the Government of the Stavropol region to invalidate a decision of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia).

The Government of the Stavropol region passed a Decree prohibiting retail sale of alcohol products from 15th July 2012 in public catering outlets located in cultural organizations and in recreational areas (within the boundaries of parks, public gardens and beaches).

On 27th May 2013, FAS found that the Government of the Stavropol region violated Part 1 Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” (competition-restrictive actions by the authorities) and Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Regulating Trading Activity”.

Under the law, restrictions of retail sale of alcohol products are not applicable to their sales through public catering outlets.

In the course of the investigation, the Government of the Stavropol region admitted the violation and reported that the decree was abolished. Later, however, the regional authority decided to challenge the FAS decision at Moscow Arbitration Court, which did not support the position of the Government of the Stavropol region and pronounced legitimacy of the decision made by FAS.