Rights of boxer accused of Scot’s murder in Athens ‘violated’, says lawyer

The rights of an Afghan boxer accused of murdering a Scottish missionary “have been violated”, according to his lawyer.

Sharif Ahmadzai has been charged with killing Edinburgh-born Elisabeth Jane Ross in the Greek capital.

Her body was found by a homeless man within a suitcase dumped inside an abandoned building in the Kypseli district on July 18.

Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found dead by a homeless man in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of the Greek capital on Saturday, July 18. Facebook

Greek authorities arrested Ahmadzai, originally from Afghanistan, and charged him with intentional homicide, robbery and weapons offences.

On Thursday, he appeared at the Court of First Instance in the Greek capital.

During the brief hearing before an investigating judge, the 26-year-old made no plea. The judge ruled that he should be remanded in custody.

“…no injuries whatsoever were found, and there was a complete absence of any obvious cause of death…”
Sharif Ahmadzai’s defence lawyers

In a statement released to the media by Paraschis-Erdas and Associates, the firm said that Ahmadzai’s “rights have been violated” due to the leak of “information and documents”.

STV News understands a coroner has determined that the charity worker’s most likely cause of death was suffocation.

However, the boxer’s lawyers say that following an examination of her body, “no injuries whatsoever were found, and there was a complete absence of any obvious cause of death”.

The defence counsel added that their client remained silent during his recent court appearance as the team awaits the results of the toxicology and medical reports.

The statement continued: “His approach toward the prosecutorial and investigating authorities was therefore not one of refusal to cooperate, but rather one of reservation, so that he could provide a full statement once the case file had been completed with the above essential documents.

“These documents had not been sought by the pre-trial investigating authorities. The sole objective is to establish the substantive truth, for the benefit of both sides.”

‘She dedicated her life to helping others in need’

Edinburgh & East

Family in ‘deep pain’ after murder of ‘selfless’ Scottish missionary

Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found dead in a suitcase in Athens

The family of Ms Ross say they are in “deep pain” following the death of the “selfless” missionary.

The city on a hill church member travelled around the world to take part in charity work.

Her family say that she “dedicated her life to helping others in need”.

Ms Ross has been described as "kind and selfless". — Ms Ross has been described as “kind and selfless”. Supplied

“Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless,” they said.

“Her integrity was absolute, and she dedicated her life to helping others in need. We are in deep pain, and we ask for time and privacy as we come to terms with our loss.”

Super lightweight Greek boxing champion accused of murder

Greek detectives believe that Ahmadzai, who is the reigning super lightweight Greek boxing champion, killed Ms Ross for financial gain.

The 26-year-old admitted to moving her body in an interview with police. CCTV appears to show him carrying a large suitcase, which police believe contained Ms Ross.

STV News understands that his American-born wife, Alaina Hall, provided testimony that Ahmadzai confessed to the killing.

It is alleged that the amateur cage fighter, who also runs a charity with his partner, sent a series of messages from her phone to her friends and family before switching off the device.

He is then said to have bought another phone and texted her friends in Athens, including his wife, impersonating an unnamed jihadist saying he had killed the Scot because of her religion.