Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
A 26-year-old man named Sharif Ahmadzai has been arrested in connection to the death of Scottish aid worker Elisabeth Jane Ross in Athens, Greece. Ross, aged 38, was discovered deceased in a suitcase inside an abandoned building in the Kypseli area on July 18, following several days during which she was reported missing. Ahmadzai, originally from Afghanistan and known as a champion boxer, relocated to Greece after arriving there as a teenager. Both individuals had been involved in supporting refugees, prompting Greek authorities to consider whether their paths may have crossed through charity work.
Ahmadzai faces charges including homicide with intent, robbery, and weapons offences. He is expected to make a court appearance in Athens soon. Initial results from the coroner could not establish the exact cause of death. However, further detailed examinations revealed signs consistent with a clear criminal act, with suspicions pointing towards asphyxiation. Investigations have also revealed that Ahmadzai, who was orphaned at age 15 after the murder of his father and family members in Afghanistan, currently resides in Greece with his American wife, Alaina Hall, and their child. His journey to Greece took him through Iran and Turkey, eventually leading him to reside in a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos. It was there that he met his wife, converted to Christianity, and together they founded the charity Love Every Nation Athens to aid refugees.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, often called Lisa by friends and family, arrived in Greece on June 26 and stayed in the Kertasini area of Piraeus until July 10. She was actively volunteering with a refugee support organization based in Athens. Ross had informed acquaintances she planned to meet “American friends” in Kypseli on July 15. Greek police are examining whether Ahmadzai had access to the apartment where Ross was staying, with footage from CCTV showing a man believed to be Ahmadzai transporting a suitcase thought to contain the victim’s body. Additionally, location data from a phone app used by Ahmadzai’s wife placed him at 9 Rethymnou Street—the suspected scene of the crime—several days prior to Ross’s death. Authorities also revealed that Ahmadzai used Ross’s bank cards to withdraw money after her disappearance. The location where her body was found is roughly a 20-minute journey from her residence.
Greek police officer George Kalliakmanis, president of the Union of Police Officers of Southeast Attica, noted that investigations are ongoing to determine whether Ahmadzai and Ross might have known each other through boxing or mutual involvement in refugee aid NGOs. “Could they have crossed paths in the past? Yes, it’s possible,” he said. Following the discovery, flowers were placed near the site where Ross’s body was found, accompanied by a heartfelt message expressing condolences and remembrance. In Edinburgh, Pastor Peter Anderson reflected on Ross’s life, calling her a “precious” part of their church community for two decades. He highlighted her deep commitment to missionary work and her compassion for people worldwide, describing her death as a “tragic loss.” During a search of Ahmadzai’s residence, police reportedly seized a replica pistol and a knife while continuing efforts to locate the “American friends” Ross mentioned
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.