Man accused of attacking Elnaz Hajtamiri in garage goes on trial

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Published Apr 02, 2025 • Last updated Apr 02, 2025 • 2 minute read

Elnaz Hajtamiri is shown in an Ontario Provincial Police handout photo. Photo by Handout /OPP

The first known salvo against Elnaz Hajtamiri was a violent attack in the underground parking garage of her Richmond Hill condo.

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Within weeks, the then-37-year-old had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Now, according to CTV News, a 26-year-old Brampton man is on trial, accused of aggravated assault for the attack in December 2021.

Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of Harshdeep Binner, 23, of Brampton, left, while Riyasat Singh, 23, of Mississauga, faces multiple charges including attempted murder. — Harshdeep Binner, 23, of Brampton, left, Riyasat Singh, 23, of Mississauga. Photo by HANDOUT /PEEL REGIONAL POLICE

Cops have suggested the attack was allegedly a botched kidnapping attempt that only came off the rails when a bystander intervened to help Hajtamiri. The thugs attacking her then fled.

In addition to the assault, Harshdeep Binner is also charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. He is on trial in Newmarket.

Crown Attorney Michael Flosman told the court Hajtamiri was attacked as she walked to her car with a friend.

Elnaz Hajtamiri is seen after a Dec. 20, 2021 assault in her Richmond Hill parking garage.

She was then pulled from her vehicle by the hair and hit in the head with a frying pan. Hajtamiri’s hair was pulled from her head, and she suffered a large gash that required roughly 40 stitches.

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Detectives allege Binner was one of the two men hired to carry out the attack.

Following the assault, a terrified Hajtamiri fled to a relative’s home in Wasaga Beach where she made plans to become a baker.

But on the night of Jan. 12, 2022, men dressed in police equipment came to the home, feigning that they were officers. Hajtamiri was snatched from the home in the dead of night and has not been seen since.

Detectives believe Hajtamiri has been murdered.

Binner and another man named Riyasat Singh were arrested months later in Edmonton as part of an auto theft ring stealing valuable Ford F-150 pickup trucks.

Singh was later arrested by York Regional Police. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the parking garage attack of Hajtamiri at the end of 2022 and was then deported.

Police issued a $100,000 reward in Elnaz Hajtamiri abduction case. Elnaz Missing Since January 2022 from Wasaga Beach. Images provided by OPP

Binner was taken into custody months after Singh had been arrested.

Prosecutors allege Binner’s DNA was discovered in the parking garage on a balaclava that was left behind.

The trial is expected to last two weeks and will resume Wednesday.

bhunter@postmedia.com

@HunterTOSun

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