Dutch justice has found the Heineken group as jointly responsible for the anti-competitive practices implemented by its subsidiary in Greece, Athenian Brewery, in the domestic beer market, ruling on the lawsuit filed by the Brewery of Macedonia-Thrace (Vergina).
It ruled that the Dutch beer giant is “jointly and severally liable,” for the abuse of a dominant position by Athenian Brewery, an offense for which the latter has already been punished in Greece with a heavy fine by the Competition Commission.
On December 4, the Amsterdam court will announce the amount of compensation Heineken will have to pay to Vergina.
Sources close to Athenian Brewery noted that “the decision announced on 23/10 is purely technical and procedural, related to a 2014 ruling by the Greek Competition Commission. There has not yet been a hearing on the substantive issues of the case. Athenian Brewery will review the final decision text and determine its next steps.”
