Inmate assault charge stayed against man accused in Elnaz Hajtamiri murder case

Inmate assault charge stayed against Mohamad Lilo accused in Elnaz Hajtamiri murder case.

Mohamad Lilo, the Montreal-area man scheduled for trial in the alleged kidnapping and murder of his former girlfriend, had his jail assault charge stayed by the Crown during a virtual court appearance Monday.

Lilo was charged by police following an alleged assault of another inmate at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

According to court documents, Lilo and another man who has since died, were alleged to have assaulted a 64-year-old inmate at the jail in October 2023.

Lilo’s murder and kidnapping trial in the January 12, 2022 abduction and disappearance of Elnaz Hajtamiri is set to begin in late April and is scheduled for two months.

Police believe the now 37-year-old man orchestrated Hajtamiri’s abduction and death following their breakup.

Hajtamiri was attacked in an underground parking garage weeks prior to her disappearance and was in hiding with loved ones in Wasaga Beach when investigators believe she was forcibly removed from the home by men posing as police officers with a warrant for her arrest.

Loved ones say they haven’t heard from or seen her since that evening.

Police believe Hajtamiri is dead.

Lilo has been in custody since his arrest on July 12, 2022. His initial charges of attempted murder and attempted kidnapping were later upgraded by police to first-degree murder and kidnapping.

His lawyers, Anthony Bryant and Stephanie Marcade, have sought interim release from custody ahead of trial. A decision on his release has not been made.

The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.