Athens authorities have charged a 26-year-old Afghan man, Sharif Ahmadzai, with homicide with intent after he was linked to the death of a Scottish charity worker, Elisabeth-Jane Ross, whose body was discovered in a suitcase inside an abandoned building in Kypseli, Athens, on July 18. According to court records, Ahmadzai, a former boxer who fled Afghanistan as a child refugee, is accused of killing Ross, 38, and later disposing of her body. He is also alleged to have stolen over €10,000 from her bank accounts using her credit cards. The case has drawn attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding Ross’s death and the suspect’s actions following the incident. Ahmadzai, who arrived in Greece via the island of Lesbos as a child during the peak of Europe’s migration crisis a decade ago, is described as having settled in Athens and formed a community-based organization called Love Every Nation with his wife, Alaina Hall, a U.S. citizen and devout Christian. The couple married in 2023. Hall, who is said to have played a significant role in the investigation, reportedly became suspicious of Ahmadzai’s activities after noticing discrepancies in his behavior and financial transactions. She claims to have tracked his movements and discovered that he had accessed Ross’s bank accounts using her cards. Hall then alerted the police, handed over funds he had transferred to her, and relocated to a hotel. According to police statements, Ross, who was known to friends as Lisa, was found dead in a derelict building near the Kypseli area. Her body was discovered by a homeless man approximately two miles from the apartment where she had been staying. Ross had arrived in Athens on June 26 from Edinburgh and stayed with friends in Piraeus before moving into an apartment managed by Ahmadzai and his wife. She was last seen on the night of July 15, when she made a final phone call from her mobile. The call, which lasted less than a minute, was the last known communication from Ross before her body was found. Investigations suggest that Ross may have died between five and seven days prior to her discovery, during a severe heatwave when temperatures reached 36°C. Preliminary forensic assessments indicated that Ross likely suffered from asphyxia, though the exact cause of death remains under scrutiny. An autopsy conducted on her body revealed no visible injuries, leading to an inconclusive verdict. Further toxicological tests and organ analyses are pending to confirm the findings. Ahmadzai is alleged to have concealed Ross’s body in a suitcase and transported it to the location where it was found. Surveillance footage obtained by police shows him carrying the suitcase to the site on the night of July 16. He is also said to have withdrawn large sums of money from Ross’s accounts using her credit cards. In addition to the homicide charge, he faces accusations of robbery and illegal weapon possession. A replica pistol and a knife were recovered from his residence, prompting authorities to file multiple charges against him. During his court appearances, Ahmadzai has denied committing the act of murder but has admitted to hiding Ross’s body. His lawyer, Christos Erdos, stated that Ahmadzai did not make any formal plea during his initial hearing. The suspect was held in pre-trial detention while additional evidence is gathered. His wife, Alaina Hall, has continued to cooperate with the investigation, providing information that led to the identification of the suspect. The police have confirmed that they were able to match Ross’s identity using fingerprint data. The case has sparked international concern, with the British government offering consular support to Ross’s family. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office expressed condolences and confirmed its ongoing coordination with Greek authorities. Meanwhile, the Scottish police have acknowledged the incident and stated they are working closely with Greek counterparts to ensure justice for the victim. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on uncovering the full truth behind the tragic death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross.
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