Maxim Ali commented for the Kommersant on the appeal of St Petersburg shopping centers to the local subsidiary Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation

Administrations of major St Petersburg shopping centers requested the Federal Antimonopoly Service in St Petersburg  (UFAS) to check the ban on the activity of shopping centers for compliance with the antimonopoly legislation. The initiators of the appeal believe that the continuing ban on activities puts shopping centers in unequal conditions with hypermarkets, construction stores and department stores, which are allowed to work. UFAS told the Kommersant that the decision to initiate an anti-monopoly case or not will be accept after reviewing the situation.

At the request of the Kommersant,  Senior associate at Maxima Legal Maxim Ali commented on the situation. In the expert’s opinion, the reference to discriminatory restrictions is quite a strong reason to challenge the regulations on the introduction of the high readiness regime.  He noted that if “shopping centers can prove that their facilities are indeed no more dangerous than those already open, the officials will face a fine of up to 50 thousand robles». In addition, victims of violations of the antimonopoly law have the right to demand compensation for damages from the violator, added Maxim.

To read the full article (in Russian), please see the Kommersant website >>>