Sharif Ahmadzai charged with murder of Scottish aid worker in Athens

A 26-year-old man accused of murdering a Scottish aid worker in Athens will appear in court again on 1 August. Sharif Ahmadzai, an Afghan national, faces charges of homicide with intent, illegal weapons possession and theft of more than £8,500 from the victim’s bank accounts.

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was found dead in a derelict building on Evelpidon Street in the Kypseli district on 18 July. A homeless man discovered her body inside a suitcase. The building, at number 7, is a short walk from the court where Ahmadzai was brought on Wednesday.

Suspect detained after surveillance footage review

Greek police said Ahmadzai was arrested after investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage from the area. He was initially held on illegal weapons charges before being linked to Ross’s death. Police said he admitted moving her body but denied the homicide allegations.

Ahmadzai appeared in court on Wednesday morning, arriving in an unmarked car escorted by masked officers. During the private hearing, he was assigned a court-appointed lawyer and given time to prepare his defence. The court is located on Evelpidon Street, near where Ross’s body was found.

Messages sent from victim’s phone after death

After Ross’s death, Ahmadzai is accused of sending messages from her phone to her friends and family. He then allegedly bought a new phone and texted her contacts in Athens, including his wife, impersonating an unnamed jihadist. The messages claimed he had killed Ross because of her religion, according to Greek newspapers Proto Thema and Ta Nea.

Ahmadzai’s wife, Alaina Hall, a US citizen, told police she suspected his involvement when she woke to find him missing. She tracked his phone to the address where Ross was staying, the newspapers reported. Hall alerted authorities, who later detained Ahmadzai.

Cause of death still under investigation

Ross entered Greece on 26 June and was initially staying with friends in Piraeus, a port district of Athens. She was last seen alive before planning to meet American friends elsewhere in the city. It is unclear whether that meeting took place.

Temperatures in Athens reached 36°C in the days before her body was found. Hellenic Police identified Ross using fingerprints. A preliminary medical assessment suggested suffocation, but tissue analysis is still pending to confirm the cause of death.

Floral tributes have been left outside the derelict building where Ross’s body was discovered. One card, written in Greek, read “Rest in peace”. The structure is heavily graffitied, with missing windows and surrounded by metal barriers.

UK authorities provide support to family

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it is in contact with local authorities and providing consular support to Ross’s family. A spokesperson said, “Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time.”

Police Scotland confirmed they are aware of the case and liaising with Greek authorities. A spokesperson said officers are providing support to Ross’s family in Scotland.

What happens next

Ahmadzai is expected to return to court in Athens on 1 August. The hearing will determine whether he will remain in custody while the investigation continues. Greek prosecutors are awaiting the results of tissue analysis to establish the exact cause of Ross’s death.