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The body of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, from the Edinburgh area, was discovered inside a suitcase by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens

A man has been arrested following the death of a Scottish woman whose body was found inside a suitcase in Athens.

The body of Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, from the Edinburgh area, was discovered by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on July 18. She is believed to have died between five and seven days before she was found.

And now a 26-year-old man, who Greek police said was a foreigner, has been arrested.

During the period from when she is thought to have died until Ms Ross' body was found, someone was reportedly using her mobile phone to send messages purporting to be from her.

Hellenic Police, Greece’s national force, have said they were able to identify the victim using fingerprints. Earlier this week, toxicology tests were being carried out to establish if "foul play" was involved in her death and a cause of death has not yet been given.

Ms Ross entered Greece on June 26 and was initially staying with friends in Piraeus. She is then said to have gone to meet with American friends in another part of the Greek capital, but it is unclear if this ever happened.

The Hellenic Police said they analysed video footage to identify the suspect, who confessed on Thursday. The 26-year-old man is believed to have put her body into a suitcase, taking it to the abandoned site where it was found.

In the following days he is said to have used her bank card to withdraw money. A replica pistol and a knife were found at the suspect’s home and police have filed a case against him for manslaughter, robbery and violation of weapons laws.

Previously a spokesperson for the Greek police, Konstantina Dimoglidou, said: "Our priority is to get to the bottom of who left the suitcase. Whoever they were was careful not to leave fingerprints or DNA.

"We've had the entire homicide division of the Greek FBI working on the case. We're in contact with other police forces. We're going to solve this."

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

A Police Scotland spokesperson 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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