THE married Afghan Christian convert accused of killing a Brit missionary reportedly turned his back on the religion before she was found dead.
Pro boxer Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, had also begun hanging around bars “as if he was a single man” in months before Elisabeth Ross’ body was found stuffed in a suitcase in central Athens.
Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, has been charged with the murder of British aid worker Credit: FlashGR/X/@JohnKemmos
Elisabeth Ross was found stuffed in a suitcase in Athens in July Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Ahmadzai ditched his Islamic faith for Christianity after fleeing Afghanistan for Europe in 2016.
He would end up volunteering for the NGO that housed and fed him – EuroRelief – where he would meet Alaina, a wealthy and devout evangelical Christian, in 2018.
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The couple tied the knot five years later and appeared to live a dream life in Athens, where they set up their own refugee charity called Love Every Nation.
But it all came crumbling down after they crossed paths with Scot aid worker Elisabeth, known as Lisa, whose body was found dumped in a derelict building on July 18.
DEATH RIDDLE
Afghan suspect ‘was cleaner in building where Brit found in suitcase stayed’
SUITCASE ARREST
Afghanistan national, 26, arrested over death of Brit dumped in suitcase
Ahmadzai denies the killing, but admits transporting Lisa’s body in a suitcase, using her bank cards to withdraw thousands of euros, and stealing her phone to send messages that would mislead concerned loved ones.
The cracks in his marriage to Alaina had reportedly begun to show around 18 months before the shocking crime.
The American confided in two evangelical Christians from the southern US, saying she had noticed a change in her “very handsome” husband.
One of them said: “There were problems going on in the marriage.
Ahmadzai is expected to be placed in pre-trial detention for up to 18 months Credit: FlashGR/X/@JohnKemmos
Ahmadzai and his American wife Alaina Hall, who became suspicious of her husband Credit: Unknown
“She felt that he had started questioning his commitment to Christianity.
“Alaina was raised in a very strong Christian home and Sharif’s childhood was obviously different coming from a strict Muslim country.
“He became more aloof and seemed more focused on boxing and his friends than doing “God’s work”, as Alaina put it.
“I think he went more to the boxing gym than to church and Alaina became worried about this.”
Alaina had also noticed that her husband was hanging around bars in Athens “as if he was a single man”.
They added: “She felt that he’d changed and wasn’t as passionate about Christianity as when they first met.”
“He converted to Christianity within a year of arriving in Greece.
“As time went on, maybe she started questioning whether he did it because he really believed in it or because he wanted to strengthen his refugee case.
Ahmadzai claimed an old man told him to abandon Elisabeth’s body Credit: Getty
“We have heard of a lot of cases like this.”
Alaina’s friends believe that Lisa, who was a devout Christian herself, got caught up in the middle of the couple’s difficulties.
One said: “Alaina is very open with her emotions. She shared this with us and I’m sure with Lisa.
“Alaina thought of Lisa as a friend and she must have confided in her.
“Maybe she challenged Sharif and he hit out in anger. He was a boxer, very strong and all it would have taken is one punch or push and somebody could get seriously injured.”
Ahmadzai had begun showing signs of disillusionment.
Facebook posts dating back to last year see him accuse some Greek NGOs of exploiting refugees and volunteers for financial gain.
He claimed that they charged volunteers registration fees and wrote of crowded accommodation and misused donations.
Ahmadzai, a pro boxer, moved to Athens in 2016 Credit: @force1.shop
He is said to have met Elisabeth in February Credit: Facebook
Ahmadzai shared images promoting the slogan “Boycott corrupt NGOs”.
The Afghan was charged homicide with intent, robbery and illegal gun possession and refused to enter a plea during a court hearing on Thursday.
Ahmadzai could now spend the next 18 months in a hellish prison with terrorists, rapists and some of Greece’s most hardened criminals.
Authorities are awaiting toxicological tests and analysis of vital organ tissue that will determine Elisabeth’s exact cause of death.
Alaina allegedly reported her husband to cops after she became suspicious he was involved in Elisabeth’s death.
She told cops that she had met Elisabeth through volunteer work in Athens and had last seen her on July 12, after a Bible study meeting, according to Greek news outlet Protothema.
Days later, she heard reports of a body being found stuffed in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens.
Later that night, Alaina recalled waking up with a “terrible” feeling.
Elisabeth’s body was found in a suitcase placed inside a derelict building Credit: Reuters
She was a mother of three Credit: Facebook/@Joanne Noble
In the morning she then texted Elisabeth and got two replies which made her suspicious.
Alaina said: “These messages were not in Lisa’s style, both in terms of her level of English and the use of emojis that she never used.”
When she tried calling Elisabeth she didn’t get a reply.
Alaina also told police she had grown suspicious of her husband after she woke to find him missing on the evening of July 15.
When she checked his shared location, she saw he was in Elisabeth’s flat.
Having later confronted him, he told her he had been watching a football match but had gone to Elisabeth’s apartment to use the toilet.
She told police: “I don’t know what to tell you, but all of the above made me feel strange.
“Especially combining the dates, the messages and my husband’s behaviour, I have various thoughts that make me feel uncomfortable.”
Investigating officers also found CCTV footage which allegedly shows him leaving Elizabeth’s apartment with a suitcase and dropping it where her remains were discovered.
Ahmadzai has told cops he did not kill Elisabeth, saying he found her dead before panicking.
In his testimony, he reportedly said: “I never did harm to anyone. I want you to understand me and believe me. I was just in a panic.”
He is said to have claimed he had visited the house where she was staying and found her lying on the bathroom floor.
Ahmadzai claimed he panicked and fled and then encountered an elderly man near a bus stop and asked what he should do after finding a dead body.
He said he returned to the apartment the following day and placed Elisabeth’s body in a black suitcase, before placing it in the boot of the red Peugeot he drove.
“I found the old man I told you about who gave me the advice. He told me to leave the suitcase with him, and he would take care of it,” he reportedly said.
He admitted to the cops he had taken Elisabeth’s phone and bank cards.
Elisabeth’s devastated family paid tribute on Thursday – describing her as “kind, principled and selfless”.
They said: “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.”
