Boxer arrested in Greece over discovery of Scottish woman's body in suitcase

A 26-year-old man, Sharif Ahmadzai, has been apprehended in Greece in relation to the discovery of the body of a Scottish woman, Elisabeth Jane Ross, 38, in a suitcase. Ahmadzai, hailing from Afghanistan, is a former champion boxer who had fled his homeland as a refugee. He is set to face court in Athens on Wednesday. The body of Ms. Ross was discovered in an abandoned building in Kypseli district of Athens on July 18, several days after she was reported missing.

Ahmadzai, who is married to an American and has a child, reportedly relocated to Greece after losing his entire family in Afghanistan at the age of 15. He initially journeyed to Greece through Iran and Turkey before settling in a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos, where he met his wife and embraced Christianity. It is believed that he met Ms. Ross, who was known as Lisa to her family and friends, through the charity they established together, Love Every Nation Athens.

According to police, Ms. Ross had arrived in Greece on June 26 and remained in the Kertasini area of Piraeus until July 10. She had informed Greek acquaintances that she would be visiting Kypseli to meet "American friends" on July 15. The man arrested is believed to have transported Ms. Ross's body in a suitcase to the abandoned building and used her bank cards to withdraw money.

The location of the body was approximately 20 minutes from where Ms. Ross was staying. A message was found near the scene, expressing condolences and respect for the deceased. Police are currently conducting a toxicology report to determine the cause of death and are also seeking to locate Ms. Ross's American friends.