British Woman Found Dead in Athens Suitcase
Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, faces murder allegations and theft charges after Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, discovered deceased.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a 38-year-old British woman, was found dead in a suitcase in Athens.
Sharif Ahmadzai arrived at the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Athens Court of First Instance at approximately 09:40 local time today. Authorities initially detained him on illegal weapons possession charges; police discovered a replica Glock-style pistol and a military-style knife at his home.
Greek officials confirm Ahmadzai admitted moving the body but denied the murder allegations. However, Ahmadzai reportedly told Ms. Ross's friends and family he was a jihadist who murdered her because she was Christian, a claim he later denied in police interviews, stating he found her dead in the bathroom.
CCTV footage shows Ahmadzai arriving at Ms. Ross's flat on July 16 and later carrying a suitcase away from a derelict car park. Street camera footage identified the suspect, showing a man wheeling a large, dark-colored suitcase near the site where Ms. Ross's body was discovered.
Ms. Ross entered Greece on June 26; her last confirmed sign of life was a phone call to a friend at 9:41 pm on July 15.
Ahmadzai is also accused of dispatching messages from Ms. Ross's mobile phone to her friends and relatives after her alleged killing. He reportedly bought a burner phone and texted Ms. Ross's friends and his wife after switching off her device.
Police sources claim CCTV captured Ahmadzai making cash withdrawals from Ms. Ross's accounts. Greek authorities maintain the alleged murder resulted from a confrontation between Ms. Ross and Ahmadzai.
Authorities await tissue analysis results to determine the precise cause of death, though a preliminary assessment suggests suffocation.
The Foreign Office provides consular support to Ms. Ross's family, stating, "Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities."
Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.
Police Scotland liaises with Greek authorities and supports the family in Scotland; a spokesman confirmed, "We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland."
We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.