Afghan Man Accused of Killing British Aid Worker Allegedly Beaten in Greek Prison

An Afghan man accused of murdering British aid worker Elisabeth Jane Ross and leaving her body inside a suitcase has allegedly been attacked and badly beaten by fellow inmates at a Greek prison.

Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, is being held at Korydallos Prison in Athens after being charged with homicide with intent, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm over the death of 38-year-old Ross.

Ross, who was from Edinburgh, was found dead inside a suitcase at an abandoned building in Athens on July 18.

According to reports, Ahmadzai was allegedly targeted by other prisoners shortly after arriving at Korydallos, Greece’s largest prison.

A custodial source reportedly claimed that Ahmadzai was subjected to a “fierce attack” and had to be taken to the prison infirmary.

The alleged assault has reportedly been linked to the nature of the accusations against him, with fellow inmates allegedly branding him a “lady killer”.

Ahmadzai, a boxer from Afghanistan, has denied killing Ross.

British aid worker found dead in Athens

Ross had regularly travelled to Greece, where she volunteered with organisations supporting refugees, homeless people and other vulnerable groups.

She arrived in Athens on June 26 and stayed with Greek friends in Keratsini before moving to accommodation on Rethymnou Street in central Athens on July 2.

She was volunteering with a Christian-based organisation working with refugees.

Police later discovered her body inside a suitcase at an abandoned building in Athens.

According to testimony reportedly given to authorities, Ahmadzai’s US-born wife, Alaina Hall, knew Ross through their volunteer work and last saw her at a Bible study meeting on July 12.

Hall later became suspicious after receiving messages from Ross that she believed did not sound like her friend.

She also reportedly discovered that Ahmadzai’s shared location placed him at Ross’s apartment on July 15.

When confronted, Ahmadzai allegedly told his wife he had been watching a football match and had gone to Ross’s apartment to use the bathroom.

CCTV and Ahmadzai’s account

Authorities reportedly began investigating Ahmadzai after Hall contacted police about her concerns.

Investigators allegedly obtained CCTV footage showing Ahmadzai leaving the apartment where Ross had been staying with a suitcase before travelling to the location where her body was later discovered.

Ahmadzai has offered a different account of what happened.

During questioning, he denied harming Ross and claimed he found her lying unconscious on the bathroom floor.

He said he panicked and later returned to the property, placed her body inside a black suitcase and transported it in the boot of a red Peugeot.

Ahmadzai claimed an elderly man advised him to remove the body from the apartment and later told him to leave the suitcase at an abandoned building.

He also admitted taking Ross’s mobile phone and bank cards. According to his testimony, more than €10,000 was withdrawn from her accounts.

He claimed he used Ross’s phone to send messages to people close to her suggesting that she was still alive.

Ahmadzai further alleged that he handed the money to the elderly man after being threatened with exposure to police.

The claims remain part of the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.

From Afghanistan to Athens

Ahmadzai reportedly arrived on the Greek island of Lesvos in 2016. He later converted to Christianity and married Hall, a US-born Christian, in 2023.

The couple subsequently established a ministry in Athens focused on helping refugees.

Ahmadzai remains in custody at Korydallos Prison as the legal proceedings continue.

The allegations against him have not been proven in court.

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