The wife of a man accused of killing a Scottish woman found in a suitcase in Athens has revealed how she became suspicious of her husband's involvement in Elisabeth-Jane Ross's disappearance. Alaina Hall told police she was concerned by his "strange" behaviour and his location at the time.
Discovery and Charges
Ross, 38, from Edinburgh, was found dead in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on July 18 by a homeless man. Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, an Afghan boxer, has been charged with homicide with intent. He arrived at the Court of First Instance in Athens on Thursday, travelling in a grey Hyundai with blacked-out windows.
Wife's Statement
Alaina Hall, a US citizen, told investigators she met Ross, also known as Lisa, in February through volunteer work and church meetings. They became close friends. She last saw Lisa on July 12 and sent a text on July 18. When she received no reply, she asked her husband if he had heard from her. Ahmadzai claimed they last spoke on July 15, when Lisa allegedly asked him to accompany her while delivering a Bible.
However, Hall said she became suspicious after waking shortly after midnight on July 15 to find her husband not at home. She told police: "I checked his location on my cell phone. I saw that he was inside the apartment on Rethymno Street. I was surprised because there was no particular reason for him to be there at that time." When she phoned him, he claimed he was at a bar and had only gone to the apartment to use the toilet. Ahmadzai has admitted visiting Lisa's flat on July 15.
Growing Fears
As concern for Lisa grew, Hall said she feared the worst after hearing a body had been discovered. "I was very afraid that the body that was found belonged to Lisa," she reportedly told police. She also became suspicious after receiving replies to her texts, which did not sound like Lisa and included English and emojis she would never use.
According to Greek outlet Proto Thema, she told investigators: "All of this made me feel strange. Especially combining the dates, the messages and my husband's behaviour. I have various thoughts that make me feel uncomfortable." After Lisa's body was identified, Hall said she was so frightened she and Ahmadzai spent the night in separate locations. She also claimed she received threatening messages containing photographs of herself and her baby, which police believe were sent to divert suspicion.
Legal Proceedings
Ahmadzai was initially arrested on weapons offences before being charged with homicide with intent. He also faces allegations of stealing more than €10,000 (around £8,500) from Lisa's bank accounts. Greek authorities say he has admitted moving Lisa's body but denies killing her. His lawyer, Christos Erdos, confirmed his client did not answer questions during Thursday's hearing and entered no plea. The judge ordered Ahmadzai to remain in pre-trial detention while prosecutors gather evidence.
Investigators said Ahmadzai became a suspect after examining CCTV footage near where the body was found. Police believe Lisa died several days before she was discovered, during a period when Athens temperatures reached 36C. She was formally identified using fingerprint evidence. Lisa travelled to Greece on June 26 and had been staying with friends in Piraeus.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland."
