Coca-Cola accused of monopoly practices
Coca-Cola Co faced a criminal case launched in Azerbaijan over presumed violation of antimonopoly legislation after it unreasonably raised the prices for its soft drinks, Azerbaijan`s Economic Development Ministry said.
Due to the plans of Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers Ltd. to increase from April 16 the prices for one and two-liter bottles of its beverages -- Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta, the ministry`s anti-monopoly body demanded that the company provide documents for a scrutiny to investigate whether or not it abused its dominating position in the market and artificially raised prices.
But the company has not submitted the required documents in full and thereby failed to economically substantiate the price rise, the ministry said.
The State Service for Anti-Monopoly Policy and Consumer Rights Protection thereby instructed Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers Ltd. to immediately cancel the price increase.
Nevertheless, recent check-ups revealed that the mentioned beverages were being sold at a higher price, which prompted the anti-monopoly service to file a criminal case against the company.
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