MOSCOW, January 10 (RAPSI) – The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) stating that the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) restricts competition related to sale of goods in Moscow’s detention centers, the antimonopoly service’s statement reads on Wednesday.

In February 2017, the antimonopoly agency found FSIN’s new policy on organization of sales violating Russian competition laws. FSIN restricted the right to sell food, necessities and other goods for suspects and defendants only to one company. This move prompted numerous complaints from detainees and their relatives over unreasonably high prices.

FAS noted that prices for the sold goods in detention centers were way higher than the ones established on the competitive market. The agency noted that the court’s ruling on the matter makes noticeable social impact by restoring competition in this closed off system.

In September, the FAS ruling was upheld by the Moscow Commercial Court.

According to a representative of the antimonopoly service, the decision of the Court of Appeals will lead to restoration of competition on the closed market.