Police are trying to find out whether there’s a link between the disappearance of Toronto teen Mariam Makhniashvili and a Georgian-Canadian religious leader.

The Toronto Sun has reported that the 17-year-old’s parents have been in touch with Georgian journalists to find more information about the man, a former university professor from the Republic of Georgia.

The man, whose name has not been published, is said to have convinced 35 students from the former Soviet republic to move to Canada with him and cut ties with their families. He is believed to be an evangelical priest somewhere in Toronto.

Just a few days after her disappearance, CP24 spoke with a man who reported seeing a girl who fit Makhniashvili’s description in a McDonald’s restaurant near Christie Street and St. Clair Avenue.

Gary Matthews said the girl was with a middle-aged man speaking with what sounded like a Russian or Slavic accent.

Police say they have no evidence to link the girl to the man, but say they are investing the possibility regardless.

“At this time that information is strictly speculation,” Const. Tony Vella told CP24. “There’s no evidence to support that.”

He said about 10 officers continue to investigate the disappearance, which is still be considered a missing person case as opposed to a kidnapping.

Makhniashvili disappeared Sept. 14 after walking to Forest Hill Collegiate Institute with her brother George. She told him she would be going in the front door and has not been seen since.

She is described as five-foot-three, with light brown shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants, a light blue shirt and a dark blue jean jacket. She was carrying a large black backpack with a green stripe.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.