The family of an American woman who married an Afghan migrant accused of killing a Scots woman in Greece have spoken out, saying they never wanted her to marry him.
Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, was arrested and charged in connection with the murder of 38-year-old Elisabeth-Jane Ross in Athens on July 15. The Christian charity worker, from Edinburgh, was found dead inside a suitcase in a derelict building.
Family's doubts
Ahmadzai, a professional boxer who arrived in Greece as a refugee in 2016, converted to Christianity and married US citizen Alaina Hall, 28, in 2023. The couple set up a ministry for refugees in Athens and had a child together.
Her aunt Leanne Hall, brother Thomas, 65, and sister-in-law Susan, 61, said the family always had doubts about Ahmadzai. They told the Daily Mail: "I've never met him, I've only heard about him. But I can tell you my brother and sister-in-law never wanted them to get married."
Case details
Ahmadzai is due to appear in court tomorrow. Chilling CCTV footage showed the horror moment he allegedly drags the suitcase containing the missionary's body through the streets of Athens. He was later seen on camera without the suitcase.
Ahmadzai also spouted his loathing of Christian aid workers in a string of hate-filled online posts in the weeks before the incident. He had written a memoir called From Hell to Home about his experiences in camps and shared a page from the book on his social media with a chapter entitled "corrupt NGOs".
In a Facebook post outlining his views on the subject in May, he wrote: "Shame on corruption dressed like charity. Shame on business wearing the name of Christ." Ahmadzai had regularly told his online followers of his disdain for NGOs, repeatedly referring to one experience in a refugee camp in Lesvos, where he furiously slammed charity volunteers and spoke of "karma".
Relationship and background
Ahmadzai and his wife Ms Hall are believed to have known Ms Ross, who was also a Christian volunteer, through their missionary work. They founded Love Every Nation Athens before finally getting the paperwork to marry on April 29, 2023.
In an online post his wife wrote: "I had seen his growth and his heart for the Lord, and it was so attractive to me… We had both entered the relationship with intentionality; we both had the same heart and desire - to love the Lord and to serve people… There were challenges, and it definitely wasn't an easy road, but the Lord was faithful through it all."
The couple also organised community events, sports sessions and activities for young people across Athens.
Police investigation
Cops confirmed they had a key to the flat she was staying in as it was owned by their charity. Police launched a probe into the Afghan-national after it is understood his US wife reported her husband's suspicious behaviour on July 30. She allegedly woke up and noticed he wasn't at home on the evening of July 15 and checked his shared location which showed him at Ms Ross's apartment.
Ahmadzai is believed to have informed cops that he found Ms Ross already dead in her bathroom. He allegedly admitted using her bank cards to withdraw cash and also used her phone to send messages to relatives and friends, pretending to be her.
Ahmadzai's wife grew even more suspicious when it was announced Ms Ross's body had been found and left the family home with their baby to stay in a hotel. Ahmadzai gave her €2,550 and a new Apple iPhone 17 Pro but she handed them over to police believing they were bought with Ms Ross's money.
Detectives raided the family home on August 1 and found a black metal replica Glock-style pistol and a black military-style knife, sources say.
Ms Ross had been a regular visitor to Greece over the past seven years, where she volunteered with NGOs helping refugees, homeless people and other vulnerable groups. She arrived in Athens on June 26 and the last confirmed sign she was alive was recorded at 9.41pm on July 15, when she called a close pal.
