ST.-PETERSBURG, August 29 - RAPSI. The St. Petersburg and Leningrad Regional Commercial Court has held against a claim filed by Heineken Joint Breweries of the invalidity of a decision rendered by the local antitrust service branch that one of its beer advertisements is unsuitable due to its depiction of people and animals, the judge stated at the hearing on Wednesday.

Heineken submitted an application to the commercial court, challenging the Antimonopoly Service's decision and order dated May 18.

According to the service's website, the company violated advertising law by advertising its beer in the St. Petersburg metro. The advert showed a cartoon depiction of renowned footballer Andrey Arshavin, accompanied by the slogan "A real chance to play with Arshavin?"

It is illegal in St. Petersburg alcohol advertisements to feature images of people and animals.

Heineken has been in business since 1863. The company has been operating in Russia as Heineken Joint Breweries since February 2002.