Investigation into the murder of 38-year-old British volunteer Elizabeth Ross

The body of 38-year-old British volunteer Elizabeth Ross was discovered inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Kypseli, Athens, on July 18, 2026. A 28-year-old Afghan national, identified as Sharif Achmadzai, has been remanded in custody regarding the case. He faces charges of intentional homicide, robbery, and weapons law violations. His wife provided testimony to the authorities, citing suspicious behavior such as unexplained nighttime absences and messages on the victim's mobile phone as factors that led her to report him.

The suspect, who arrived in Greece as an unaccompanied minor in 2016, reportedly exercised his right to silence during his appearance before the investigating magistrate, claiming through his lawyer that the case file is incomplete. During preliminary questioning, he denied committing the murder, alleging that he found the woman already dead in his bathroom and was advised by an elderly man to remove the body to avoid trouble. The defense has requested the victim's medical records for further review. Legal proceedings are ongoing as the investigation continues.