HIBAPRESS – MAP
The investigation and research services of the Competition Council carried out, last Tuesday, surprise visits and seizures, simultaneously, to actors in the national market for the supply of medical supplies, based on suspicions of anti-competitive practices in the aforementioned market.
A statement from the General Rapporteur of the Competition Council explained that the aforementioned visit and seizure operations were carried out with the permission of the Attorney General, and with the assistance of officers of the National Brigade of Judicial Police appointed to attend the visit and seizure operations, in accordance with the provisions of Article 72 of Law No. 104.12 relating to freedom of prices and competition, as amended and supplemented. In this regard, the statement indicated that the completion of the mentioned operations does not imply the existence of the suspected anti-competitive practices or the proof of responsibility of the concerned actors in committing them, as the deliberative bodies of the Council alone have the authority to decide on the aforementioned practices if they are proven, after conducting an in-depth investigation into the matter in accordance with a confrontational procedure in full respect for the rights of defense. In view of considerations related to respecting the defense rights of the actors who were visited, the statement adds, the Competition Council will not, at the present time, comment on their identity or the practices that are the subject of the visit and seizure operations. The Competition Council, in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of Law No. 20.13 relating to the Competition Council, as amended and supplemented, has research and investigation services that conduct the necessary investigations and inquiries in application of the provisions of the law on freedom of prices and competition related to anti-competitive practices and the control of economic concentration operations. The statement noted that the surprise visit and seizure operations, which are organized by Article 72 mentioned above, are considered a research and investigation tool that allows the collection of evidence and information necessary to investigate on the spot, regarding issues related to anti-competitive practices or the failure to notify the Competition Council of economic concentration operations.
