Greek authorities have arrested Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old Afghan boxer, in connection with the death of Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish aid worker. Ross’s body was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens’ Kypseli district on July 18, several days after she was reported missing.
Ahmadzai, who fled Afghanistan as a teenager after losing his family in violent attacks, settled in Greece with his American wife and child. He is a former refugee and champion boxer who arrived in Greece via Iran and Turkey, initially residing in a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos. There, he met his wife and converted to Christianity. The couple later founded the charity Love Every Nation Athens to support fellow refugees.
Police investigations revealed Ahmadzai had access to the apartment where Ross was staying and surveillance footage showed him carrying a suitcase believed to contain her body. Additionally, location data from a tracking app used by Ahmadzai’s wife placed him near the site where the body was found days before the discovery. Authorities also reported that Ahmadzai had used Ross’s bank cards to withdraw money.
The victim arrived in Greece on June 26 and was last seen in the Piraeus area before telling friends she planned to meet "American friends" in Kypseli on July 15. The building where Ross’s body was found is approximately 20 minutes from her accommodation.
During searches of Ahmadzai’s home, police confiscated a replica pistol and a knife. A toxicology report is being expedited to determine Ross’s cause of death. Investigators are also seeking to identify the American friends Ross mentioned.
Flowers and messages have been placed at the discovery site, honoring Ross’s memory and expressing condolences.
