**Afghan Boxer Accused of Killing Scottish Aid Worker Back in Court**
**Athens, Greece** – Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old Afghan boxer, appeared in an Athens court on Thursday, August 6, 2026, for a second hearing regarding the alleged homicide of Scottish aid worker Elisabeth Ross. Ahmadzai faces serious charges, including homicide with intent, robbery, and weapons offences.
Elisabeth Ross, 38, originally from Edinburgh, was found dead on July 18 in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens. A homeless man discovered her body, prompting an investigation that led to Ahmadzai's arrest. He was initially detained for illegal possession of weapons before additional charges were filed.
During his latest court appearance, Ahmadzai arrived in an unmarked grey vehicle and was not photographed. He has been assigned a court-appointed lawyer to assist in his defense. The court proceedings have garnered significant media attention, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against him.
According to reports, Ahmadzai is accused of stealing over €10,000 (£8,500) from Ross's bank accounts using her debit cards after her death. Homicide with intent, the charge he faces, is equivalent to murder under Scots law. Greek authorities have indicated that Ahmadzai admitted to moving Ross's body but has denied the homicide allegations.
Following the alleged murder, Ahmadzai reportedly sent messages from Ross's phone to her friends and family, impersonating an unnamed jihadist. He claimed to have killed Ross due to her religious beliefs. This development has raised further questions about the circumstances surrounding her death and Ahmadzai's motives.
Reports from Greek newspapers, including Proto Thema and Ta Nea, reveal that Ahmadzai's wife, Alaina Hall, a U.S. citizen, became suspicious of her husband's involvement when she noticed he was missing from their apartment. She tracked his phone to the location where Ross was staying, leading her to alert the authorities.
Elisabeth Ross had been volunteering with a refugee support group in Athens, having arrived in Greece on June 26. She was known to family and friends as "Lisa" and had been staying in the Keratsini area of Piraeus before her tragic death. Investigators believe she may have died several days before her body was discovered.
As the case unfolds, it continues to attract attention both in Greece and internationally, highlighting issues related to safety for aid workers and the complexities surrounding criminal investigations involving foreign nationals. The next steps in the legal process will be closely monitored as the court seeks to determine the facts surrounding this tragic incident.
The court proceedings are expected to continue as Ahmadzai prepares his defense against the serious charges he faces.