The Competition Council (KP) has imposed a fine of more than 4.4 million euros in the case of the road construction cartel, the KP told the media.
KP, based on the information provided by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) and the additional evidence obtained during the investigation, found a violation of the prohibitions stipulated in the Competition Law and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in the activities of road construction companies and imposed a total of fines in the amount of more than 4.4 million euros.
The KP will inform more about the decision in the so-called road construction cartel case on Wednesday, the 14th of June.
KP Chairman Juris Gaiķis and KP Prohibited Agreements Department Director Ieva Šmite will take part in the press conference.
In 2021,
KP informed LETA that the council is conducting investigation in the sector of road construction.
KNAB representatives previously confirmed that in 2021 there was one criminal case in the records of the institution for possible crimes committed by a public official in connection with the organization of public procurement in the road construction sector.
KNAB conducted searches in this case in the autumn of 2019. KNAB suspected that the official of Latvian State Roads in 2017 and 2018 may have given other persons – possible procurement applicants –
information about the planned procurements in road maintenance and renovation, and two persons were detained at that time.
The KNAB has now explained to the media that the pre-trial investigation continues in the mentioned criminal case, but there are no other criminal cases or investigations related to road construction companies in the records of the office, which would indicate possible corrupt activities of officials or a conflict of interest.