MOSCOW, October 4 (RAPSI) – The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has launched a probe into what it suspects to be a largest cartel in the sphere of road construction, which is allegedly involved in contracts valued at more than 12 billion rubles (about $208.8 million), the service’s statement reads on Wednesday.

Defendants in the case are Technostroy, SU № 908 and Avtodor companies. These firms are suspected of reaching an anti-competitive agreement during procurement for construction, reconstruction and renewal of federal roads of general use.

According to FAS, the companies chose victors of reverse auctions beforehand. As a result, maximum price for contract got lowered no more than by one percent.

FAS noted that in 2016-2017 there was an increase in area, where anti-competition agreements in the sphere of construction took place. The Service believes that this is indicative of the sphere’s business practice’s cartelization in Russia.