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Man accused of Brit's suitcase murder in Greece 'turned back on faith' before her death

The body of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, was discovered in a suitcase in a derelict building in Athens on July 18, and Afghan refugee and Christian convert Sharif Ahmadzai has been charged with her murder

[Sharif Ahmadzai, who is suspected of killing Elisabeth-Jane Ross, and his wife Alaina Hall]

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Sharif Ahmadzai, who is suspected of killing Elisabeth-Jane Ross, and his wife Alaina Hall(Image: FACEBOOK)

The man accused of killing British woman Elisabeth-Jane Ross, who was found dead inside a suitcase in Greece, reportedly turned his back on his Christian faith before her death.

Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai has been charged with homicide with intent over the death of 38-year-old Elisabeth-Jane, known as Lisa, whose body was discovered inside a suitcase in a derelict building in Athens on July 18.

The claims about Ahmadzai's faith and behaviour before Lisa's death have been reported by the Daily Mail, which spoke to two evangelical Christians who said his wife Alaina Hall had confided in them about concerns she had regarding her husband's changing behaviour.

According to the newspaper, Alaina told the pair that Ahmadzai had become more distant from his Christian faith and was spending more time boxing and with friends. The sources also claimed she had become concerned about him spending time in bars in Athens.

[Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found by a homeless man on July 18]

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Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, was found by a homeless man on July 18(Image: Facebook)

Ahmadzai fled Afghanistan in 2016 and is understood to have converted to Christianity after meeting Alaina through charity work in Greece. The couple run a charity called Love Every Nation, which supports homeless people and refugees in Athens.

Lisa had also been carrying out charity work in Greece as a Christian aid worker and had met Alaina through volunteering and church meetings. Alaina told investigators she and Lisa had become friends after meeting in February.

She reportedly told police she last saw Lisa on July 12. When she later asked her husband when he had seen Lisa, he allegedly said they had last spoken on July 15, when Lisa had asked him to accompany her while delivering a Bible.

Alaina also reportedly told investigators that she woke shortly after midnight on July 15 and found Ahmadzai was not at home. She said she checked his location on her mobile phone.

Ahmadzai was initially arrested on weapons offences before prosecutors charged him with homicide with intent. He also faces allegations of stealing more than 10,000 (around 8,500) from Lisa's bank accounts using her bank cards.

[Sharif Ahmadzai was a keen boxer]

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Sharif Ahmadzai was a keen boxer(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Greek authorities say Ahmadzai has admitted moving Lisa's body but denies killing her.

His lawyer, Christos Erdos, confirmed his client did not answer questions during Thursday's hearing.

Following the hearing, a judge ordered Ahmadzai to remain in pre-trial detention while prosecutors continue gathering evidence ahead of future court proceedings. The allegations against Ahmadzai have not been proven in court.

He was later escorted from court by masked police officers and driven away.

Investigators previously said Ahmadzai became a suspect after officers examined CCTV footage recorded close to where Lisa's body was discovered.

[Elisabeth Jane Ross was reportedly known to Sharif Ahmadzai through his wife Alaina Hall ]

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Elisabeth Jane Ross was reportedly known to Sharif Ahmadzai through his wife Alaina Hall (Image: Facebook)

Police believe she died several days before she was found, during a period when temperatures in Athens reached 36C. She was formally identified using fingerprint evidence.

Lisa travelled to Greece on June 26 and had initially been staying with friends in the port district of Piraeus.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said earlier: Our thoughts are with Elisabeths family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.

A Police Scotland spokesperson previously said: We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.

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