Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old professional boxer from Afghanistan, has been arrested for killing a Scottish woman, Elisabeth Jen Ross. He faces charges of homicide with intent, robbery, and weapons offences following the murder of 38-year-old Ross. The victim, known as Lisa to her family and friends in Edinburgh, had been volunteering with a refugee support group in Athens.
Chilling moment Afghan champion boxer rolls suitcase carrying body of Scottish woman through Greek street
— RT (@RT_com) August 4, 2026
26yo Sharif Ahmadzai arrested in connection with murder of Elisabeth Jane Ross
Ahmadzai met Ross through Love Every Nation, refugee charity he set up with his American wife pic.twitter.com/dyWgLWj3Cv
Her body was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens on 18th July, days after she was reported missing. Ahmadzai was driven to a private court hearing in a grey Hyundai i30 with blacked-out windows, keeping his head down as police officers escorted him away.
Ross was murdered for her belief in Christianity
Greek authorities and police investigators have been working intensively to determine the exact motive behind the killing, as Ahmadzai continues to deny any role in the murder. However, according to some media reports, Ross may have been targeted because of her Christian faith. The reports point to a Facebook post shared by Sharif in May, in which he wrote, “Shame on corruption dressed like charity. Shame on business wearing the name of Christ.”
Sharif Ahmadzai is accused of murdering Edinburgh Christian charity worker Elisabeth Jane Ross in Athens on July 15https://t.co/tNm5PTria1
— The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) August 4, 2026
Ahmadzai had also regularly expressed his disdain for NGOs to his online followers. He repeatedly referred to an experience at a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesvos, where he criticised charity volunteers and spoke about “karma.”
George Kalliakmanis, honorary president of the Athens police officers’ association, stated, “He has admitted to carrying her body to the site. Police have CCTV footage of him doing this on the night of 16th July. He has also confessed to withdrawing €10,000 from ATMs using credit cards that belonged to her. But he has denied murder, which police do not believe.”
Investigators believe Ross, who moved into an apartment managed by Ahmadzai on 10th July, was likely asphyxiated during a confrontation. Adding to the mystery, Ross’s phone was used after her death to send “deliberately misleading” text messages to delay her missing person report. Crucial help came from Ahmadzai’s wife, Alaina Hall, who grew suspicious of his newfound wealth and contacted the authorities.
Similar tragic cases in India
Similar disturbing incidents involving the bodies of Hindu victims being disposed of in suitcases have also been reported in India.
In a 2022 chilling case in Delhi, police arrested three men, identified as Noman, Arman, and Samsad, for the murder of a woman named Neha Patel. Patel, who was in a relationship with the prime suspect Lukman, wanted to end the relationship due to his behaviour. Following a major quarrel, Patel was killed, and her body was stuffed into a suitcase and dumped in the Bawana area of Outer North Delhi. CCTV footage played a vital role in tracking down the suspects.
In a 2024 case in Navi Mumbai, a 27-year-old woman, Poonam Kshirsagar, was killed by her partner, Nizam, with whom she had been in a relationship for four years. Nizam, a taxi driver, murdered her following a dispute over his concealed marital status. Poonam’s decomposed remains were later discovered in a remote area of Uran after she had been reported missing, prompting local authorities to stress the seriousness of such crimes and call for strict legal action.
