Family's tribute to 'kind and selfless' aid worker killed in Greece

The family of a Scottish aid worker found dead in a suitcase in Greece has said she was "kind, principled and selfless".

Elisabeth Ross, known as Lisa, was found in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens on 18 July – several days after she was reported missing.

Ross's friends and her church in Edinburgh joined in tributes to the 38-year-old, who had been volunteering with a refugee support group in Greece.

Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, a boxer from Afghanistan, has been accused of her murder as well as robbery and weapons offences.

In a statement, her family said: "Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless.

"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."

Ross had arrived in Greece on 26 June and stayed with friends in the Keratsini area of Piraeus until 10 July.

She reportedly said she was going to stay with American friends and is believed to have died a number of days before she was found.

Greek police allege that Ahmadzai, 26, transported Ross's body in a suitcase to an abandoned site, and used her bank cards in the days after to withdraw money.

He was arrested and charged with homicide with intent - the equivalent to a murder charge in the UK.

Ross's friend Magali Tassone told BBC Scotland News that she was "so shocked" over her death.

The pair studied together and shared a room at the missionary organisation Youth With A Mission in Switzerland in 2013.

Tassone, 41, said Ross had "deep compassion" for refugees and women going through abuse, and went on to help them through her work.

"It was terrible, I have no words to explain the pain," she said.

"Thinking my friend is not there anymore is something that is just so painful.

"But then afterwards discovering everything that is going on around her story - I'm still processing and I'm still shocked about that."

Tassone, who is originally from Switzerland, said the pair remained in contact and she last saw her four years ago when Ross visited her home in Dijon, France.

She said Lisa spent time with her family and helped look after her children.

"Lisa was someone who would travel a lot," she added. "I know she had a home, but her home was also everywhere.

"She would go to different countries, and it was not like she had a place where she would stay for a long time."

Tassone said Ross had visited other friends in Norway and Denmark, and had supported missionaries financially.

"She would always give to other people, and be there for people," she said.

"Even to the point that she could sometimes forget about herself because she would spend so much time giving to people, visiting people and supporting people."

Tassone said Ross grew up in a Christian environment and had "always wanted to live her faith".

"She truly incarnated the love and passion of Jesus for people here," she added.

"Her love was obvious and was not just words, but deeds and actions that she would display every day."

Destiny Church in Edinburgh, where Ross had been a member, also paid tribute to her.

In a statement, it said: "Lisa will always be remembered for her unstoppable passion to help those who were less fortunate than herself.

"This passion and deep sense of calling sometimes took her to challenging places. Lisa was determined not to leave this world the same way she found it.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa's whole family at this time who will be heart broken at the loss of such a beautiful daughter and sister."

Sharif Ahmadzai has been jailed until his trial for Ross's death, which could be up to 18 months away.

The BBC understands that he denies the charge of murder but admits moving the body, claiming that he did so because he feared he would be blamed for her death.