Afghan boxer faces murder charge over Scottish volunteer’s death in Greece

The 26‑year‑old Sharif Ahmadzai, who recently captured a Greek super‑lightweight boxing title, is now in Athens court over the death of Elisabeth Ross, a 37‑year‑old Scottish aid worker who was found in a suitcase in the city’s Kypseli district. The coroner’s initial report could not determine a cause of death, but a later examination concluded it was an “obvious criminal act, likely asphyxiation”.

During a private hearing, Ahmadzai was informed of charges of homicide with intent, robbery and weapons offences. The case is deferred until Thursday, when him will be formally charged with the murder equivalent of a homicide charge in Scots law. He made no comment at the hearing and was escortoriated by police in a grey Hyundai i30 with blacked‑out windows. Police said he kept his head down as he walked back to the car, and later, after the court, was escorted more than an hour later with police faces covered.

Ross, from Edinburgh, volunteered with the refugee support group “Love Every Nation Athens” and had stayed in the Kertasini area of Piraeus from 26 June until 10 July. She had been believed to live in a small apartment on Rethymnou Street, where police trace her supposed death. Investigators also found footage of Ahmadzai carrying a suitcase believed to contain Ross’s body. They say he used the victim’s bank card to make withdrawals of surrounding €10,000 and sent texts to her family to create the illusion that she was still alive, though he denied any intention to kill.

Ahmadzai left Afghanistan aged 15 after the death of both parents and later journeyed through Iran and Turkey to Greece. He met his wife in Lesbos, converted to Christianity and built a charity to aid refugees. The police are examining whether he held a key to the apartment Ross was sleeping in. The union of police officer research suggests his wife was unaware of any wrongdoing.