Watchdog slaps Motor Oil with €9.2 mln fine

The Hellenic Competition Commission fined the Motor Oil petroleum company 9.2 million euros and an associated individual €50,000 for obstruction of an on-site inspection.

In a statement, the commission cited legislation which relates to inspections and the right to seal a business office and records and said it had imposed the fines "after taking into consideration the particular seriousness of the related behavior, the disdain, and its repercussions on the investigation taking place."

The commission said its inspectors had arrived at the Motor Oil premises in Corinth for an unannounced on-site inspection on the stages of refining, and wholesale and retail sale in the gasoline and diesel markets, following a self-initiated order by the Commission's General Directorate of Competition.

"During the duration of the on-site inspection, the Motor Oil corporation and...