Prosecution Accuses Retailers of Alcohol Price Fix
The Prosecutor's Office has charged the four largest supermarket chains - including Selver, Rimi, Maxima and Prisma - and one alcohol retailer of a cartel agreement with alcohol producer Liviko to increase vodka prices in 2009.
Liviko, producer of products such as Viru Valge and Vana Tallinn, said two similar cases have shown that judges and the Prosecutor's Office do not fully comprehend the retail market. The company was cleared of any wrongdoing in the two previous cases.
According to the charge, the companies agreed to increase the price of a 0.5 liter bottle of 40-percent alcohol liquor to at least 63.5 kroons (4.06 euros).
All those involved have denied the charge.