The short version
- Sharif Ahmadzai has appeared in an Athens court for a second time regarding the death of Scottish volunteer Elisabeth Ross.
- Prosecutors allege he committed homicide with intent, robbery, and weapons offenses after killing Ross and stealing from her accounts.
- Reports suggest Ahmadzai admitted moving the body but denied the killing, while his wife tracked his phone to Ross's location.
An Afghan national suspected of murdering a Scottish aid worker in Greece has returned to an Athens courtroom for a second legal proceeding. Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old boxer from Afghanistan, faces serious charges including homicide with intent, robbery, and illegal weapons possession. The hearing marks a continuation of the judicial process following his initial detention and the discovery of the victim’s remains in the Greek capital.
The case centers on the death of Elisabeth Ross, a 38-year-old woman from Edinburgh known to friends as Lisa. She was found by a homeless man inside an abandoned structure in the Kypseli district of Athens on July 18. Authorities believe she had been dead for several days prior to her discovery. Ross had arrived in Greece on June 26 and was volunteering with a refugee support organization based in the city before staying in the Keratsini area of Piraeus until early July.
Prosecutors allege that Ahmadzai killed Ross and subsequently stole more than €10,000 from her bank accounts using her cards. The homicide charge is considered equivalent to murder under Scots law. In addition to the physical violence and financial theft, authorities claim he sent messages from Ross’s phone to her family and friends before disabling the device. These communications reportedly occurred after the alleged killing but before the phone was turned off.
Greek media outlets have reported additional details regarding Ahmadzai’s actions following the incident. According to newspapers Proto Thema and Ta Nea, he purchased a new mobile phone and contacted Ross’s acquaintances in Athens. In these messages, he allegedly impersonated an unnamed jihadist, claiming responsibility for the killing due to her religious beliefs. This narrative appears to conflict with other aspects of the investigation, including his own statements to police.
Law enforcement officials from the Greek policing union stated that Ahmadzai admitted to moving the body but denied any involvement in the homicide itself. This partial admission complicates the legal picture as prosecutors build their case for intentional killing. The discrepancy between his confession regarding the body’s relocation and his denial of the murder charge remains a central point of contention in the proceedings.
The investigation gained momentum after Ahmadzai’s wife, Alaina Hall, a United States citizen, raised suspicions with police. She reported that she woke to find her husband absent from their apartment and subsequently tracked his phone location to the residence where Ross was staying. This action by Hall appears to have been a critical factor in linking Ahmadzai to the crime scene and initiating the deeper inquiry into Ross’s disappearance.
Ahmadzai was initially detained on charges related to illegal weapons possession before the more severe homicide allegations came to light. During his first court appearance, he was assigned a court-appointed attorney and granted time to prepare his defense. On Thursday morning, he arrived at the courthouse in an unmarked grey vehicle and was not photographed during the proceedings. He was escorted out of the facility following the Wednesday session.
The case has drawn attention due to Ross’s humanitarian work with immigrants in Greece. Her death has prompted tributes from religious communities and colleagues who described her as a dedicated volunteer. As the legal process continues, authorities are expected to present further evidence regarding the timeline of events, the source of the funds stolen, and the motive behind the alleged impersonation of a jihadist. The next steps will likely involve detailed examination of digital evidence and witness testimonies.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC World↗Afghan boxer accused of killing Scottish aid worker back in court
