The wife of a man accused of killing a Scottish woman in Athens has reportedly told investigators she became suspicious of her husband after discovering he was at the woman’s apartment in the middle of the night. Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, from Edinburgh, was found dead by a homeless man inside a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on July 18. Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, has been charged with homicide with intent in connection with her death. He denies killing Ms Ross. Ahmadzai appeared at the Court of First Instance in Athens on Thursday, where a judge ordered that he remain in pre-trial detention while prosecutors continue their investigation. Details reported by Greek media have since emerged from a statement allegedly given to police by Ahmadzai’s wife, Alaina Hall, who had become friends with Ms Ross through volunteer work and church meetings. Hall reportedly told investigators that she last saw Ms Ross, who was also known as Lisa, on July 12. After failing to receive a response to a message sent several days later, she asked her husband whether he had heard from her. According to Hall’s account, Ahmadzai claimed he had last spoken to Ms Ross on July 15, when she allegedly asked him to accompany her while delivering a Bible. However, Hall said she had become concerned after waking shortly after midnight on July 15 and discovering her husband was not at home. According to reports in Greece, she checked his location using her mobile phone and found that he appeared to be at Ms Ross’s apartment on Rethymno Street. She reportedly told police: “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 contacted him, Ahmadzai allegedly claimed he was at a bar and had only visited the apartment to use the toilet. Ahmadzai has reportedly acknowledged visiting Ms Ross’s flat on July 15. As concerns over Ms Ross’s whereabouts grew, Hall said she became increasingly worried after learning that a woman’s body had been discovered. She also allegedly received responses to messages she had sent to Ms Ross but became suspicious because the language and emojis used did not appear consistent with how her friend normally communicated. Hall reportedly 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.” Following the formal identification of Ms Ross’s body, Hall reportedly became frightened and spent the night apart from her husband. She also allegedly received threatening messages containing photographs of herself and her baby. Greek investigators are reportedly examining whether the messages were intended to divert suspicion. Ahmadzai was initially arrested over alleged weapons offences before prosecutors charged him with homicide with intent. He also faces allegations relating to the theft of more than €10,000 – around £8,500 – from Ms Ross’s bank accounts using her bank cards. Greek authorities reportedly say Ahmadzai has admitted moving Ms Ross’s body but denies killing her. His lawyer, Christos Erdos, said his client did not answer questions during Thursday’s hearing and entered no plea in relation to the charges he faces. Investigators reportedly identified Ahmadzai as a suspect after examining CCTV footage from the area where Ms Ross’s body was discovered. Police believe she had been dead for several days before being found, during a period when temperatures in Athens reached around 36°C. She was formally identified using fingerprints. Ms Ross had travelled to Greece on June 26 and had initially stayed with friends in the port district of Piraeus. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office previously 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.” Police Scotland has also confirmed it is liaising with authorities in Greece and providing support to Ms Ross’s family in Scotland. The investigation remains ongoing and the allegations against Ahmadzai have not been proven in court.

Originally published by UKNIP.