The grieving family of a British woman who was discovered deceased in a suitcase in Athens expressed their profound sorrow after the suspected perpetrator of her murder faced court proceedings.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found by a homeless individual in an abandoned structure in Athens on July 18, following her disappearance. She had been engaged in charitable activities in Greece during the summer as a Christian humanitarian worker. Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old Afghan boxer, was arraigned in court on charges of robbery and illegal possession of weapons.
In their initial statement post the tragic incident, Lisa’s family described her as a compassionate, principled, and selfless individual who devoted her life to aiding those in need. They requested privacy and understanding as they cope with their loss.
Ahmadzai, a professional boxer from Afghanistan, attended a court session in Athens where he was remanded on charges of possessing illegal weapons and intentional homicide. Despite facing three accusations, including murder, he remained silent during the hearing and did not enter a plea. Local reports suggest he denies the murder allegation, claiming he found Lisa already deceased on the premises.
Allegedly introduced to Lisa through his American wife Alaina Hall, Ahmadzai co-manages a charity called Love Every Nation. Hall reportedly alerted authorities about her suspicions regarding her husband’s involvement in the crime. The suspect was detained for interrogation after CCTV footage review, where he is said to have sent messages from Lisa’s phone to mislead her contacts before switching the device.
Following her tragic demise, Ahmadzai purportedly impersonated an unnamed jihadist in messages to Lisa’s acquaintances, suggesting her religious beliefs led to her death. Authorities identified Lisa using fingerprint analysis after her body was discovered in an Athens district. Floral tributes have been laid at the site, with one message reading “Elisabeth-Jane Ross. Rest in peace” in Greek.
The Foreign Office expressed condolences to Lisa’s family and confirmed providing consular aid while collaborating with local authorities. Police Scotland also acknowledged the incident involving a Scottish woman in Athens and affirmed support for her family in Scotland.
