An Afghan professional boxer who arrived in Greece as a refugee and subsequently married an American Christian volunteer has been arrested in connection with the murder of a British woman in Athens. Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, is suspected of killing Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38.
Authorities allege that CCTV footage shows Ahmadzai leaving the apartment where Ms. Ross was staying with a suitcase, which he then discarded in a derelict building where her remains were found on July 16. Police sources indicated that the couple, including Ahmadzai and his wife, U.S.-born Alaina Hall, had access to Ms. Ross's apartment as it was owned by their organization, Love Every Nation Athens.
Investigators began focusing on Ahmadzai after his wife reportedly alerted authorities on July 30 about his suspicious behavior. She allegedly stated that she woke up to find him missing on the evening of July 15 and checked his location, which showed him at Ms. Ross's apartment. Ahmadzai has reportedly told police that he discovered Ms. Ross deceased in her bathroom. He is also accused of using her bank cards to withdraw cash and her phone to send messages to her relatives and friends, impersonating her.
Ahmadzai's wife allegedly became suspicious when Ms. Ross's body was discovered. She reportedly left their home with their baby and stayed in a hotel, refusing a sum of 2,550 euros and a new iPhone offered by Ahmadzai, believing the items were purchased with Ms. Ross's money. Police raided the couple's home on August 1, reportedly discovering a replica Glock-style pistol and a military-style knife.
Ahmadzai, a Super Light professional boxer, has had two fights in Athens. His life story, marked by significant personal tragedy in Afghanistan, including the deaths of his father, mother, sister, and younger brother, has been documented. He described his journey from Afghanistan, involving a 45-day trek through Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, during which he witnessed a migrant die of cold and was arrested multiple times. He made several attempts to reach Greece by sea, with two previous boats sinking before his successful arrival on the island of Lesvos in 2016.
Upon arriving in Greece, Ahmadzai reportedly entered the Moria Camp, where he taught himself English and worked as a translator for a humanitarian organization. He met Alaina Hall, who was also volunteering at the center. He converted to Christianity in 2017 and moved to Athens in 2019. He began boxing and training refugee boys before developing a relationship with Hall. The couple married on April 29, 2023.
Together, they founded Love Every Nation Athens. Ahmadzai conducted free boxing sessions for unaccompanied teenage boys, and the couple distributed food and prescriptions to refugee families weekly, organizing community events and sports activities across Athens. Ahmadzai is scheduled to appear before magistrates in Athens on Wednesday.