A man accused of murdering a Scottish charity worker and concealing her body in a suitcase appeared in court in Athens on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, an Afghan boxer, faces charges of murder and theft after the body of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was discovered in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of the city on July 18.
Body Found After Heatwave
Ms Ross's body was found by a homeless man, and she was identified through fingerprints. Authorities believe she died between five and seven days before discovery, during a period when temperatures in Athens reached 36°C. The location where her body was found is just a few minutes' walk from the courthouse where Ahmadzai's hearing took place.
Ahmadzai was initially detained on charges of possessing illegal weapons, but the charges have since been upgraded to include murder and allegations that he stole more than €10,000 from Ms Ross's bank accounts using her cards.
Alleged Confession and Cover-Up
According to Greek media reports, including Proto Thema and Ta Nea, Ahmadzai allegedly told police during interrogation that Ms Ross was already dead when he found her. He claimed he placed her body in a suitcase to avoid drawing attention while he stole money from her accounts. He is then said to have purchased a burner phone and sent messages to his wife, friends of Ms Ross, and himself to cover his tracks.
The reports also suggest that Ahmadzai impersonated a jihadist in the text messages, claiming he killed Ms Ross because of her religion. His wife, Alaina Hall, a US citizen, reportedly told police she suspected his involvement after waking to find him missing from their apartment. She allegedly tracked his phone to the location where Ms Ross was staying.
Victim's Background and Community Work
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, known as Lisa, was a volunteer at local NGOs in Athens. She regularly visited the Greek capital and was often seen talking to homeless people in the city's rundown areas. Her death has shocked the community, and Greek officials have confirmed that Ahmadzai admitted to moving the body but denied the murder charge.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a statement: 'Our thoughts are with Elisabeth's family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The court hearing on August 5 was expected to address the formal charges against Ahmadzai. The case has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the vulnerability of aid workers abroad and the complexities of cross-border legal proceedings. Ahmadzai remains in custody as the investigation continues.
