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 Those charges were later withdrawn.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
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 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.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
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.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
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.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.