Latvian national gas supplier AS Latvijas Gāzehas paid a EUR 2.2 million fine as the Supreme Court upheld the decision by the Latvian Competition Council (the CC).
In 2013, the CC finedAS Latvijas Gāze, a monopoly gas supplier, for abusing its dominant market position. The company refused service to new customers unless outstanding debt of previous occupants was paid off.
During the investigation, the CC received more than 500 complaints from individuals and businesses detailing the abusive practice.
On 14 September, the Latvian Supreme Court dismissed a motion to review the case and upheld the fine imposed by the CC. This decision cannot be appealed.
The CC invites all parties that may have been harmed by the abusive practice to seek compensation from AS Latvijas Gāze. If refused, damages can also be claimed in court.
This year, fines of EUR 4.4 million for violations of the Competition Law detected this year and previously have already been paid.
Fines imposed by the CC aim to prevent ongoing violations from continuing and discourage other businesses from engaging in similar illegal activities. Additionally, fines allow state to reduce social harms created as a result of fair competition violations.
For media inquiries
Paula Vilsone
Communications Officer of the
Competition Council of Latvia
Phone +371 67365210
E-mail: paula.vilsone@kp.gov.lv