Greek Court Orders Detention of Afghan Boxer Accused in Suitcase Murder

On August 6, a Greek court ruled that a 26-year-old Afghan boxer must remain in jail while his case proceeds to trial. Prosecutors have charged him with manslaughter, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm. The suspect exercised his right to silence and did not enter a plea, prompting the court to keep him in pre-trial detention.

The Straits Times

The victim, Elisabeth Jane Ross, was a 38-year-old Scottish-born certified psychotherapist and volunteer aid worker. After being reported missing for three days, her body was discovered on July 18 inside a suitcase placed at an abandoned construction site in Athens.

UsNews and World Report

Police describe the accused as a professional boxer from Afghanistan who was granted asylum in Greece. He was arrested on August 2. According to police officials, the suspect told investigators that he found Ross’s body in an apartment bathroom, panicked, placed it in a suitcase and attempted to dispose of it. A post-mortem examination could not determine a definitive cause of death because of advanced decomposition, though officials said asphyxiation was not ruled out. Coroner and toxicology reports have not yet been added to the case file.

UsNews and World ReportThe Straits Times

Christos Erdas, the suspect’s lawyer, said his client is reserving his response until the full evidence dossier is available.

UsNews and World Report

• “His stance before the prosecuting and investigating authorities does not constitute a stance of refusal, but on the contrary, it is a stance of reservation so that he responds comprehensively when the case file is complete,” — Christos Erdas, lawyer

UsNews and World Report