Afghan boxer accused of killing aid worker whose body was found in suitcase

Afghan Boxer Faces Murder Charges in Greece After Aid Worker Found in Suitcase

Court Appearance and Charges

Qwenews.com – A 26-year-old Afghan national stood before Greek judges on Thursday, facing accusations that he murdered Elisabeth Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish humanitarian worker. The woman’s remains were discovered inside a suitcase at an abandoned building in Athens. Under Greek legislation, the accused cannot be publicly identified by name.

Prosecutors have charged the man with intentional homicide, robbery, and firearms violations. He was taken into custody on Sunday following his arrest and formally remanded on Thursday. The suspect has entered a not-guilty plea regarding the homicide charge.

Body Discovery and Surveillance Evidence

Ross’s body was located on July 18 at a construction site that had been left vacant. According to George Kalliakmanis, who leads the Union of Police Officers of Southeast Attica, investigators reviewed CCTV recordings that captured a man pushing a large suitcase near the location. Another individual subsequently discovered the suitcase containing the victim.

In his first testimony he (the suspect) denies killing the woman. He said he found her dead in the bathroom. And then panicked and decided to remove the body.

Kalliakmanis noted that several questions persist about the circumstances. Investigators want to determine how the suspect gained access to Ross’s apartment and whether she opened the door herself or if he possessed a key.

Suspect Background and Personal Life

The accused arrived in Greece in 2016 after leaving Afghanistan at age 15. He pursued boxing training and achieved recognition in the Greek national championships, according to CNN Greece. In 2023, he wed a United States citizen, and the couple has one child.

That same year, the couple established a non-governmental organization dedicated to helping refugees. Authorities are currently examining whether the suspect knew Ross through their shared work with refugee populations in Greece.

Financial and Digital Trail

Kalliakmanis revealed that the suspect acknowledged using Ross’s bank card to withdraw approximately 10,000 euros, equivalent to $11,500. Additionally, police believe someone continued operating Ross’s mobile phone following her death, sending messages that appeared to come from her. These communications ceased once her body was discovered.

But questions remain as to how he entered the woman’s apartment. And if she opened the door for him or whether he had a key.

Wife’s Testimony and Investigation Status

Following the discovery of the body, the suspect’s wife approached police with information from a location-sharing application. The app indicated her husband was present in the flat where Ross died during the night of July 15 and into the early hours of July 16. Despite this revelation, she did not immediately question him about his presence there.

Kalliakmanis stated that investigators have found no indication that the wife participated in Ross’s death. An initial coroner’s examination has not yet determined a definitive cause of death, though asphyxiation remains a possibility.

She did not confront him about why he was there, added Kalliakmanis, who said that the investigators had found no evidence that the suspect’s wife was involved in Ross’ death.

International Cooperation

The suspect made a brief court appearance on Wednesday before returning for a second hearing on Thursday. Police Scotland has been assisting with the investigation. A spokesperson for the Scottish force confirmed they are aware of the Scottish woman’s death in Athens and are coordinating with Greek authorities.

Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland,

Police Scotland added in their statement to CNN.