Police yesterday distributed fliers around the city about Ani Ashekian, a Canadian tourist who disappeared last autumn. 'The police consider that this is an appropriate time to appeal to the public again and the distribution of leaflets a necessary course of action,' a duty officer wrote. 'About 35 detectives and uniformed branch officers were taking part in the operation in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central areas where the missing woman was reported seen.' Ms Ashekian, 31, arrived in Hong Kong on November 9, and made contact with her family the next day. Family and friends never heard from her again. Passport records indicate Ms Ashekian never left the city. Police said Ms Ashekian was seen at Chungking Mansions in Kowloon on November 10, and CCTV footage showed her visiting an ATM inside Causeway Bay MTR station a little after midnight on November 11. Ms Ashekian's sister applauded the police department's actions before getting on a flight to Hong Kong. 'That is such great news,' Sossy Ashekian wrote in an e-mail. 'I really hope we get some new leads from it.' Sossy Ashekian is to arrive later today and plans to meet police and Canadian consular officials this week. Preston Powell, a Hong Kong-based volunteer who has been looking for Ms Ashekian since December, said: 'While I'm happy to hear about [the police handing out fliers], I'm a bit disappointed that the local volunteers weren't notified of it happening. We've been there and done that, and one would think after six months on the case the investigation would have moved from the place where she was last seen.' Anyone with information about Ms Ashekian or her disappearance is asked to contact the regional crime unit, Hong Kong Island, at 2860 7834 or 9886 0043.