\n<\/p>\n
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, known as Lisa, was found dead by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli district of Athens on Saturday 18 July. She had travelled from Edinburgh to Greece on 26 June.<\/p>\n
Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, a professional boxer from Afghanistan who arrived in Greece in 2016, has appeared in court in Athens on suspicion of killing her. He also faces charges of illegal weapons possession and robbery.<\/p>\n
Greek police initially fast-tracked forensic tests as a priority. However, police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou has confirmed the results are now expected to take \u201cat least another month.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coroner\u2019s initial report listed the cause of death as undetermined, noting no external signs of trauma. A more detailed autopsy and post-mortem later identified asphyxiation as the probable cause.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Ahmadzai appeared at the Court of First Instance in Athens. He was remanded in custody on charges of homicide with intent and illegal weapons possession. His lawyer, Christos Erdos, confirmed that Ahmadzai did not speak during the hearing and entered no plea. Ahmadzai denies murder and claims he found Ross already dead on the bathroom floor. His trial could be up to 18 months away.<\/p>\n
The court complex sits a short walk from the derelict building where Ross\u2019s body was discovered. Floral tributes have been left at the site, including one reading \u201cElisabeth-Jane Ross. Rest in peace\u201d in Greek.<\/p>\n
Police detained Ahmadzai after reviewing nearby surveillance footage. Prosecutors allege that after killing Ross he used her phone to send messages to her friends and family before switching it off. He is then said to have bought another phone and sent texts to her contacts in Athens, including his wife, impersonating an unnamed jihadist who claimed to have killed the Scot because of her religion.<\/p>\n
Greek newspapers Proto Thema<\/em> and Ta Nea<\/em> reported that Ahmadzai\u2019s wife, US citizen Alaina Hall, told police she became suspicious when she woke to find him missing from their apartment and tracked his phone to the location where Ross had been staying.<\/p>\n Ahmadzai\u2019s lawyers have criticised leaks of information and documents in the case, arguing that his rights were violated. In a statement, the firm Paraschis-Erdas and Associates said there were \u201cno injuries whatsoever\u201d and \u201ca complete absence of any obvious cause of death.\u201d They described their client\u2019s approach as one of reservation pending a full case file, rather than a refusal to cooperate.<\/p>\n Ross is believed to have died several days before her body was found, during a period when temperatures in Athens reached 36\u00b0C. She was identified through fingerprints.<\/p>\n Her family paid tribute after her identity was confirmed: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: \u201cOur thoughts are with Elisabeth\u2019s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n Police Scotland confirmed it is liaising with Greek authorities and providing support to the family in Scotland.<\/p>\n
\u201cLisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless. Her integrity was absolute, and she dedicated her life to helping others in need. We are in deep pain, and we ask for time and privacy as we come to terms with our loss.\u201d<\/p>\n