Afghan boxer faces murder and robbery charges in Athens court hearing

Sharif Ahmadzai, an Afghan boxer aged 26, returned to an Athens courtroom for a second appearance, facing charges of homicide with intent, robbery and weapons offences. He had earlier been held on illegal weapons possession and now faces accusations of stealing more than €10,000 from the bank cards of Elisabeth Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish aid worker. Authorities claim Ahmadzai moved Ross’s body after her death and used her phone to send messages posing as a jihadist before turning the device off.

Police reports indicate his wife, Alaina Hall, a U.S. citizen, suspected his involvement after locating his phone near Ross’s residence. Ross, known as Lisa to friends, had been volunteering with a refugee support group in Athens and was discovered by a homeless man in a rundown building in the Kypseli district on July 18. Greek newspapers Proto Thema and Ta Nea reported the alleged phone messages and the theft of the victim’s funds.