An Afghan professional boxer, accused of murdering a Scottish aid worker whose body was discovered in a suitcase in Athens last month, is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
The victim has been identified as Elisabeth Jane Ross, 38, a humanitarian worker who had been reported missing since July 15. Her body, concealed in a green suitcase and wrapped in dark fabric, was found on July 18 at an abandoned construction site in the bustling Kypseli district, where the suspect resides.
While decomposition precluded a definitive cause of death from the post-mortem examination, officials stated that asphyxiation had not been ruled out. The suspect, described by his wife as a professional boxer, was granted asylum in Greece and had reportedly been collaborating with the victim on volunteer initiatives.
The suspect, who denies the murder allegations, was arrested on Sunday. He claims to have discovered Ross's body in an apartment bathroom, subsequently panicking and attempting to dispose of it. Police found a knife and a replica firearm in his apartment, leading to charges of manslaughter, robbery, and illegal gun possession, which may be amended as the investigation progresses.
Authorities allege the suspect used Ross's bank card for withdrawals and her phone to send misleading messages indicating she was still alive. He is expected to face a prosecutor at 0700 GMT. Ross, a qualified psychotherapist and volunteer with various humanitarian organizations, had arrived in Greece on June 29 and was last expected to return to a friend's residence on July 15.
