The move by Systembolaget is a punishment following accusations that Vin & Sprit employees bribed Systembolaget staff. Nine Vin & Sprit employees were charged with bribery last summer. Systembolaget said at the time that it was investigating what sanctions it could take against its fellow state-owned company.
But Vin & Sprit has now applied to the Svea Court of Appeal to get Systembolaget to halt its plans, which it says will cost it hundreds of millions of kronor.
“The way Systembolaget is acting is extraordinary. They make up the rules and act as judge. We therefore want this judgment to clarify the roles,” said Jacob Broberg, communications director of Vin & Sprit.
According to Vin & Sprit’s deposition, Systembolaget claims that Vin & Sprit broke supplier agreements, thus justifying the removal of 15 the company’s wines from the shelves.
The alcohol supplier wants the court to decide whether Systembolaget has the right to unilaterally remove the drinks because of an alleged breach on contract.
According to Vin & Sprit, Systembolaget has already contacted Vin & Sprit’s wine-making partners, who could now be forced to change Swedish importer in order to be able to continue selling their products in Sweden.
The drinks maker has now asked the court to issue an injunction to prevent Systembolaget taking the products off the shelf until the case is resolved. Vin & Sprit also pointed out that it is not being prosecuted as a company in the bribery case, with only a number of ex-employees facing prosecution. They are due to go on trial in March.
“Systembolaget wants to take away products that have an annual sales value of 32 million kronor. It is entirely unreasonable to do this before the court hearing,” said Broberg.