MOSCOW, September 9 - RAPSI, Natalia Belova. The Federal Antimonopoly Service has appealed a court invalidation of its ruling against thermal coal manufacturers, the court told the Russia Legal Information Agency (RAPSI).

The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals has yet to schedule the hearing date.

The Moscow Commercial Court on July 29 sided with Russian Coal, Stroyservis, and SUEK in their appeal of a December 22, 2010 antimonopoly service resolution that the companies violated antitrust law.

The Federal Antimonopoly Service reported in late 2010 that Russian Coal, Stroyservis, SUEK, and several other companies colluded to manipulate the coal market. According to services head, Igor Artemyev, the companies conspired to increase sale prices, divide the market, and manipulate municipal coal bids.

The Interior Ministry opened a criminal case against the alleged conspirators in winter 2011.