Several individuals were arrested in Athens on Friday amid a police investigation over serious allegations that a ring, which also included municipal employees, blackmailed shop owners for large sums of money by threatening to file complaints over occupied public spaces, mostly over the placement of tables and chairs outdoors.
The case has generated increased media attention in the country.
An anonymous letter that reached authorities and pointing to a blackmail ring involving city employees and unaffiliated civilians commenced the investigation, with initial press reports claiming that the alleged perpetrators earned some 700,000 euros annually from the “shake downs”.
According to the allegations and subsequent charges, two of the suspects would arrive at cafes and eateries and promise the owners that no further complaints-cum lawsuits would be filed against them. When a third complaint by a municipality is filed a business is automatically ordered to temporarily shut down.
This “protection” against of non-harassment was accompanied by a demand for cash, oftentimes in a recurring fashion.
A 43-year-old woman, identified as a key figure in the ring, usually appeared to extort for the payment and then collect.
Following one such “transaction” on Friday, she was arrested. According to Greek Police, besides the woman, another five individuals were detained.
Extortion payments ranged from 6,000 euros to 16,000 euros annually, depending on the type of business, any past violations and the perceived difficulty in avoiding inspections by municipal employees.
