The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has removed a film that chronicled the journey of Sharif Ahmadzai, an Afghan migrant now accused of murdering a British woman in Greece. Ahmadzai, 26, was arrested on Monday in Athens in connection with the death of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, a Scottish national.
Ross's body was discovered by a homeless individual on July 18 in a derelict building in Athens, concealed within a suitcase. Authorities believe she was killed three days prior. Ahmadzai, who arrived in Greece in 2016 as a migrant, is a professional boxer.
The deleted film, titled "Game of Life: The Story of Sharif," was a four-minute animated production released in December 2016. It detailed Ahmadzai's escape from Afghanistan following the deaths of his father, mother, and siblings, and his subsequent journey through Iran and Turkey before reaching the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. The film, a collaboration with the IFRC and a London artist, featured narration of his six-week crossing and opened with the statement, "each migrant has a story worthy of a Hollywood movie."
According to the film, Ahmadzai's journey was facilitated by smugglers and described as a "game." He was reportedly arrested and held in prison for three days in Istanbul during his first attempt to reach Greece. The video also indicated his desire to reach the United Kingdom, where he claimed to have family who would assist him.
A spokesperson for the Red Cross stated, "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Elisabeth-Jane Ross at this extremely difficult time. The video is no longer publicly accessible. We took this decision out of consideration for Elisabeth's family while the legal proceedings continue."
Ahmadzai appeared in a closed court hearing in Athens on Wednesday, where he was asked to provide his account of the events of July 15. The hearing was brief, and Ahmadzai requested additional time and legal representation. Greek media reported that Ahmadzai denied murder, claiming instead that he found Ross deceased in her apartment, panicked, and subsequently disposed of her body.
He told police that he visited Ross's apartment and found her unresponsive. He stated he then panicked and left the premises, encountering an elderly man who advised him to remove the body from the house to avoid trouble. Ahmadzai admitted to returning the following day to place Ross's body in a suitcase and then in his car. He claims he then took the suitcase to an abandoned building and left it with the same elderly man, identified as Nikos, who he said was blackmailing him for money taken from Ross's bank cards. Ahmadzai also confessed to taking Ross's phone and bank cards and sending messages to her contacts.
Ahmadzai faces charges including intentional homicide, robbery, and weapons offenses. He is expected to be remanded in custody pending trial within the next 18 months.
Reports indicate that Ahmadzai converted to Christianity and married U.S.-born Christian Alaina Hall in 2023. The couple reportedly knew Ross through their work with refugee ministries in Athens. Police sources suggested that Ahmadzai's wife may have alerted authorities after noticing suspicious behavior, reporting him missing on the evening of July 15 and tracking his phone to Ross's apartment. She allegedly became suspicious upon learning of Ross's death and provided police with money and an iPhone that Ahmadzai had given her, believing they were purchased with Ross's funds.
Ross, from Edinburgh, had been volunteering in Greece for approximately seven years with various NGOs assisting refugees and vulnerable populations. She had previously worked with the One Heart organization, which provides medical support to refugees. She arrived in Athens on June 26 and moved to a new address on July 2, continuing her volunteer work with a Christian-based NGO.