MOSCOW, January 18 (RAPSI) – Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has launched a case over potential violation of competition legislation against Gazprom and authorities of the Samara Region, including the region’s governor, the watchdog’s announcement reads on Wednesday.

The case was launched after Srednevolzhskaya Gas Company (SGC) filed a complaint with the Agency. Allegedly, since 2010 officials and representatives of Gazprom’s subsidiaries have been manipulating local gas market by denying SGC access to important clients.

According to FAS, in 2011 the Samara Region’s governor and one of Gazprom’s subsidiaries implemented a strategy for gas supply and gasification of the region. This strategy served as the basis for construction of new gas distribution systems and development of the existing ones.

However, as FAS notes, such strategy should be applicable not only to Gazprom’s systems but other companies as well. The Agency states that SGC was removed from the decision-making process with its complaints being ignored by local authorities. Such actions may lead to elimination of SGC.

FAS will begin to review this case on February 3.