An Afghan professional boxer, Sharif Ahmadzai, has been arrested in Athens in connection with the murder of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a British Christian volunteer.
CCTV footage appears to show Ahmadzai, 26, transporting a wheeled suitcase through the city streets. Police allege this suitcase contained the body of Ms. Ross, 38, which was subsequently discovered in a derelict building on July 16. Detectives believe Ahmadzai may have moved the body from Ms. Ross's apartment to this location.
Ahmadzai arrived in Greece on a small boat in 2016 and later converted to Christianity. In 2023, he married Alaina Hall, a U.S.-born Christian, and together they established a ministry called Love Every Nation Athens, which assists refugees. Ms. Ross, also a Christian volunteer, was reportedly known to the couple through their shared humanitarian work. Police sources indicate that the organization owned the apartment where Ms. Ross was staying, and Ahmadzai and his wife possessed a key.
Authorities began investigating Ahmadzai after his wife reportedly alerted them to his suspicious behavior on July 30. She allegedly stated that she woke on the evening of July 15 to find him missing and that a location-tracking app showed him at Ms. Ross's apartment. Ahmadzai reportedly told police he found Ms. Ross already deceased in her bathroom. He is also suspected of using her bank cards for cash withdrawals and her phone to send messages to her contacts, impersonating her.
Ahmadzai's wife grew suspicious upon hearing of the discovery of Ms. Ross's body. She left their home with their infant child and stayed at a hotel. She later handed over 2,550 euros and an iPhone 17 Pro, which Ahmadzai had given her, to the police, believing they were purchased with Ms. Ross's funds.
Investigators raided the couple's home on August 1, reportedly finding a replica Glock-style pistol and a military-style knife. Ahmadzai has competed as a professional boxer in Athens, with one win and one loss in two fights.
His life story, including his escape from Afghanistan following the death of his father and other family members to the Taliban, his arduous journey to Greece, and his personal transformation, has been documented. He authored in his book that "No matter how dark your story is, there is always light at the end of the tunnel."
Ms. Ross, originally from Edinburgh, had visited Greece for seven years, volunteering with NGOs assisting refugees and other vulnerable populations. She arrived in Athens on June 26 and had been staying in the Keratsini district before moving to the Rethymnou Street apartment on July 2. Her last confirmed communication was a phone call to a friend on July 15 at 9:41 p.m. Friends and relatives later received messages that raised concerns about their authenticity due to the language used.
Ahmadzai is scheduled to appear before magistrates in Athens on Wednesday.