A man from Afghanistan has made an initial court appearance in Athens regarding allegations related to the death of Elisabeth Jane Ross, a Scottish national working as a volunteer with a refugee support organization. Ross, known to those close to her as Lisa and from Edinburgh, was reported missing and her remains were subsequently discovered on 18 July at an abandoned structure. The body was found inside a suitcase at a location in the Kypseli district.
Sharif Ahmadzai, aged 26, was informed during a closed-door court proceeding that he faces multiple charges including homicide with intent, robbery, and weapons-related offenses. The case was adjourned until Thursday, at which point formal charges are anticipated. According to law enforcement officials, an initial examination was inconclusive regarding the cause of death, but subsequent analysis determined it was consistent with “an obvious criminal act, likely asphyxiation.” Ahmadzai was transported to and from the courthouse in a grey vehicle with covered windows and was accompanied by officers during his departure.
Ross had arrived in Greece on 26 June and was residing in the Kertasini area of Piraeus prior to 10 July. Ahmadzai, who left Afghanistan following the death of his parents at age 15, traveled through Iran and Turkey before settling in a refugee camp on Lesbos, where he later married an American citizen. The couple founded a charitable organization focused on assisting other refugees. Ahmadzai competed as a boxer in Greece and secured a super lightweight title earlier this year.
Investigators indicate that the two individuals may have had contact through charitable activities. Police obtained video evidence purportedly showing Ahmadzai with a suitcase believed to contain the victim’s remains and used location data from a mobile application to place him at the residence where Ross is believed to have died. According to statements from law enforcement, Ahmadzai acknowledged relocating the body but disputed culpability, asserting he discovered her already deceased in a bathroom. Police allege he obtained the victim’s banking credentials and mobile device, subsequently using the card for withdrawals and sending messages to suggest she remained alive. Ahmadzai’s spouse has been stated to have had no knowledge of or involvement in the alleged offense.
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