Ex-Cora franchisee faces seven charges in alleged kidnapping

MONTREAL — A former Cora Group franchisee is facing seven charges stemming from the alleged abduction and unlawful confinement of the company’s top executive nearly 18 months ago.

Paul Zaidan, 49, was formally charged Wednesday at the courthouse in Laval, north of Montreal.

The charges include kidnapping, unlawful confinement, extortion and intimidation.

The accusations stem from an incident in March 2017 when Nicholas Tsouflidis was allegedly taken at gunpoint from his home in Mirabel.

A passerby found the businessman bound but alive in a ditch in Laval several hours later.

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Zaidan was ordered held until a bail hearing Friday.

Tsouflidis, the president of the company since 2008, is the youngest son of Cora Mussely Tsouflidou, who founded the Cora chain of breakfast restaurants.

Police previously said their probe demonstrated Tsouflidis was allegedly nabbed in an effort to obtain a ransom.

(Cogeco Nouvelles)

The Canadian Press