Suspect in Elnaz Hajtamiri abduction case makes court appearance
A suspect accused in the alleged abduction of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri in 2022 appeared in a Collingwood courtroom Tuesday.
Adams Ankamah of Brampton was charged by Ontario police one year ago.
Investigators believe he is one of three men who posed as police officers, claiming to have a warrant for Hajtamiri's arrest before dragging her away from the home of loved ones on January 12, 2022. They say she was forcibly put into a stolen white Lexus SUV.
No one has seen or heard from her since as detectives continue to search for answers.
Toronto defence lawyer Richard Fedorowicz represents Ankamah, and is awaiting disclosure of the Crown's evidence against his client.
CTV News has confirmed Ankamah was arrested four years ago by police in Thunder Bay and charged with possession of a firearm and cocaine and fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. Those charges were later withdrawn.
Ankamah is scheduled to return to court next month. He remains out on bail under strict conditions, according to his lawyer.
Police now presume Hajtamiri dead and have charged her former boyfriend, Lilo Mohamad, with first-degree murder and kidnapping. He remains behind bars.
The authorities continue to search for former rapper Deshawn Davis of Toronto, who is believed to have played a part in the alleged kidnapping.
Deshawn Davis, 35, is shown in this handout photo. (Ontario Provincial Police)
Two other co-accused, Dominique Ewan and Krystal Lawrence, had their charges stayed by the Crown.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Top: (Far L) Elnaz Hajtamiri, (L) Mohamad Lilo, (R) Harshdeep Binner, (Far R) Riyasat Singh Bottom: (Far L) Harshpreet Sekhon, (L) Akash Rana, (R) Jaspreet Singh, (Far R) Sukhpreet Singh
Seven other men face charges in connection with the case for their alleged involvement with a failed kidnapping attempt and assault on Hajtamiri in a Richmond Hill underground parking garage.
The violent incident prompted Hajtamiri to seek refuge with loved ones in Wasaga Beach just weeks before she disappeared.
The allegations against all of the above accused have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.