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 Those charges were later withdrawn.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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.