Bulgaria's anti-trust regulator has decided to slap fines on four major fuel retailers for conspiring to increase fuel prices, according to local media reports.

The Commission for Protection of Competition launched the probe in the summer of 2011, encompassing Lukoil Bulgaria, Naftex Petrol, Rompetrol and OMV, 24 Hours daily reported, citing a document by the regulatory body that it has obtained.

The commission is also investigating whether Lukoil Bulgaria, controlled by Russia's Lukoil, abused its dominant market position.

The news comes as hundreds of Bulgarian drivers staged numerous rallies across the country to protest fuel prices. Local consumers say they are being over-charged by Russian-owned company Lukoil Bulgaria.

Under local competition law fines for cartel agreements should total up to 10% of the turnover of the companies involved during the previous year.

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