The owners of a chain of Centretown convenience stores have been charged with extortion after police say they accused their employees of theft and forced them to pay money to not call police.
Ali Karimi, 42, and his wife Nava Vosough, 29, are facing several charges including extortion, theft, harassment, intimidation and assault. Both are scheduled to appear in court on May 14.
Ottawa police say between April 2007 and February 2008, the couple falsely accused two former employees of theft.
The victims were men, aged 24 and 38, and are international students. The victims were compelled to pay money after the couple threatened to call police and immigration officials.
Police suspect that there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information or believes they may have been the victim of extortion by the two accused is asked to contact Det. Steven Cattral or Det. Garry Granger of the West District Investigation Section at 613-236-1222 ext. 2266 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS).
