The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Guardian reported that a
26-year-old Afghan man has been charged with intentional homicide, robbery and
weapons offences in connection with the death of a 38-year-old British woman
whose remains were found inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, known as Lisa and from Edinburgh, was
found dead inside a suitcase by a homeless man in an abandoned building in the
Kypseli district of Athens on July 18.
Greek police confirmed that the Afghan man had been arrested
and charged in connection with the case. Local media reports said he faces
charges including intentional homicide, robbery and weapons offences.
Investigators said Ross arrived in Greece in late June and
stayed at several locations before renting a ground-floor apartment in the
Exarchia district of Athens.
According to Greek police, the suspect allegedly had access
to her apartment using a set of keys. Ross was last known to have contacted a
friend three days before her remains were discovered.
Her family and friends became concerned after receiving text
messages from her phone that they said did not resemble her usual writing
style, raising suspicions that someone else was using the device.
Police examining CCTV footage and mobile phone data reportedly
identified the suspect moving a large suitcase from Ross’ apartment in Exarchia
to the abandoned building in Kypseli on the night of July 16. He was later seen
leaving the area carrying only a backpack, according to reports cited by The
Guardian.
During questioning, the suspect allegedly told investigators
that he had found Ross dead in the bathroom of the apartment before placing her
remains in a suitcase and disposing of it the following evening.
Police, however, alleged that he later admitted using Ross’
mobile phone to send messages to her family and friends while also making
withdrawals using her bank cards.
A search of the suspect’s residence on Aug. 1 reportedly
uncovered a replica Glock-style pistol and a military-style knife, leading to
additional weapons charges.
Forensic investigators were able to identify Ross through
fingerprints obtained from her remains, despite their advanced decomposition.
Greek authorities said the identification was made with the cooperation of
Interpol.
The suspect has been referred to the relevant prosecuting
authority to face the charges.
Ross traveled from Edinburgh to Greece on June 26. Tributes
were later paid by her family, friends and members of her community following
news of her death.