EU probes CEZ over suspected anti-competition

BRUSSELS Nov 24 (Reuters) - The European Commission said it carried out a surprise inspection at the premises of Czech energy firm CEZ AS (CEZPsp.PR) and other companies on Tuesday to check suspicions of anti-competitive activities.

"Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of CEZ AS and other undertakings located in the Czech Republic," said Jonathan Todd, spokesman for the EU Competition Commission. Todd said the EU regulator had reason to believe that actions carried out by CEZ itself, or together with other players, may have led to distortion of competition and enhanced CEZ's dominant position in the Czech wholesale electricity market. "The suspected illegal conduct may include excluding competitors and raising prices on the Czech wholesale electricity market. These actions if proven, would constitute violations of EU competition laws," Todd said. (Reporting by Bate Felix; Editing by David Brunnstrom) ((Reuters Messaging: bate.felix.reuters.com@reuters.net; Email: bate.felix@thomsonreuters.com; +32 2 287 6812))