Heineken announced on Wednesday that it intends to appeal a Dutch court ruling awarding Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) 111 million euros ($125 million) in damages and interest related to competition issues involving its Greek subsidiary, Athenian Brewery. The case centers on practices in Greece’s beer market between 1998 and 2014.

The dispute dates back to 2015, when the Hellenic Competition Commission imposed a €31.5 million fine on Athenian Brewery for abusing its dominant position in beer production and distribution. This penalty was later reduced to €26.7 million by the Athens Administrative Court of Appeal in 2017. Following that, MTB pursued damages in the Dutch legal system.

The recent ruling by the Dutch court awarded MTB approximately €43 million in damages, along with €68 million in accrued interest. Heineken expressed disagreement with both the court’s reasoning and the scope of the damages awarded, describing MTB’s original claims as unrealistic.

Heineken’s decision to appeal indicates ongoing legal contention over allegations that Athenian Brewery engaged in anti-competitive behavior during the specified period, which MTB argued caused it financial harm. The company emphasized its commitment to challenging the decision through appropriate legal channels. The case highlights the complex regulatory environment within Greece’s beer market and the broader scrutiny multinational beverage firms face regarding competition practices.