The market chain BİM was fined a record 1.3 billion liras. In a statement, BİM claimed that the fine was unjust and there was no action that warranted it. The company’s shares dropped by nearly 7% in two days.

Following the record fine, BİM’s shares experienced a sharp decline. The Competition Authority imposed a fine of 1.3 billion liras on BİM after determining that an employee had deleted data from a work device. As of 11:24, BİM’s shares fell by 5.77% to 523 liras.

The company’s shares became the worst performer in the BIST-100 index for the day. The two-day loss reached 7%.

Yesterday evening, the Competition Authority released a statement titled “Preventing On-Site Inspection Can Have Serious Consequences.”

The statement indicated that after the on-site inspection began, it was found that a BİM executive deleted data and prevented and obstructed the on-site inspection. BİM: NO ACTION WARRANTING FINE BİM reacted to the fine with a statement today. The company claimed that the employee who deleted messages from a messaging app on their personal phone was not in a position to influence company decisions, and the messages were restored. While denying any violation of competition law in the messages, the statement argued, “This fine is unjust. There is absolutely no content or action in any of our accounts, our executives’ communication, and applications that would warrant a fine.” BİM also expressed displeasure with the tone of the statement, stating that the title did not comply with conventions.

The company announced that it would utilize all legal rights to challenge the decision once the reasoned decision is received.