Tests to determine how aid worker died in Greece face month-long delay

Tests to determine the cause of death for a Scottish aid worker in Greece are expected to face a month-long delay, the BBC has learned. Elisabeth Ross, 38, from Edinburgh, was found deceased in a suitcase by a homeless man in a derelict building in Athens' Kypseli area on July 18.

Sharif Ahmadzai, a 26-year-old boxer from Afghanistan, has been accused of her murder, as well as robbery and weapons offenses. Although Greek police had previously stated they were prioritizing and fast-tracking the tests, spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou informed BBC Scotland News on Saturday that the results could now take "at least another month."

Ahmadzai was initially detained on charges of illegal weapons possession. He now faces a charge of homicide with intent and allegations that he stole over €10,000 (£8,500) from Ross's bank accounts using her bank cards.

The police union in Greece reported that the initial coroner's report cited an undetermined cause of death, as no external trauma was visible on the body. However, a more detailed investigation, autopsy, and post-mortem examination subsequently listed "asphyxiation as the probable cause of death."

Ahmadzai's lawyer released a statement on Thursday, asserting that when Ross was discovered, she had no injuries, and any apparent cause of death was "entirely absent." The lawyer stated that his client requested the forensic medical report and the "toxicological and histological examinations of the deceased" be included in the case file.

Ahmadzai has been remanded in custody until his trial, which could take up to 18 months. The BBC has been informed that Ahmadzai denies homicide with intent but admits to moving the body, claiming he did so out of fear of being blamed for her death.

A statement from the police's organized crime directorate indicated that Ahmadzai was brought to a police station on July 30. He is accused of killing Ross, then sending a series of messages from her phone to her friends and family before switching off the device.

Greek newspapers reported that Ahmadzai's American wife told police she suspected his involvement in the killing after waking to find him absent from their apartment and tracking his phone to Ross's location. Her statement to the police has been described as crucial to the investigation.

Police confirmed that Ross, known to family and friends as Lisa, had been volunteering with an Athens-based refugee support group. She arrived in Greece on June 26 and stayed in the Keratsini area of Piraeus until July 10. It is believed that Ross died several days before her body was discovered.

Greek officials contacted Interpol, and American authorities were able to identify her fingerprints. Her family described her as "kind, principled, and selfless," adding in a statement, "Her integrity was absolute, and she dedicated her life to helping others in need."