Extortion ring leader, members jailed

A 43-year-old woman, an alleged leader of a business extortion ring, and four others were remanded pending trial Thursday after appearing before an examining magistrate and a prosecutor.

All the 14 alleged members of the ring face felony charges related to the activity of a criminal gang that allegedly extorted businesses in the center of Athens, mainly hotels and restaurants, offering "immunity" from administrative fines and inspections. 

The extortion ring was active at least from early 2023, if not earlier, authorities charge.