A 27-YEAR MANHUNT TAKES A SH0CKING TURN: AUSTRALIA’S MOST WANTED FUGITIVE JAMES DALAMANGAS WINS A MAJOR LEGAL BATTLE—LEAVING AUTHORITIES FACING YET ANOTHER SETBACK
One of Australia’s most wanted fugitives has smiled and given a thumbs up after Greek authorities rejected an extradition request to send him home.
James Dalamangas fled overseas following the stabbing death of George Giannopoulos, 32, during a brawl at the Pariziana nightclub in Sydney‘s south-west in April 1999.
The father-of-two’s murder remains unresolved.
Despite police issuing a warrant for his arrest the next day, Dalamangas managed to evade authorities and settled in Greece, where he has spent the last 27 years working as a farmer under several aliases.
There was a breakthrough last month when Dalamangas, now 56, was arrested in a village near Patras in western Greece, after he allegedly shared false information during a roadside police check and admitted that he was wanted in Australia.
The Patras Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected a request to hand Dalamangas over to Australian authorities.
The court ruled that Dalamangas was ineligible for extradition because the time of his alleged offence was beyond the nation’s 25-year statute of limitations.
Sporting a new haircut, Dalamangas was filmed by a television crew giving a thumbs-up and wry grin as he left the court.
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James Dalamangas grinned and gave a thumbs-up as he left the Patras Court of Appeals
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George Giannopoulos, 32, was stabbed to death during a brawl at the Pariziana nightclub in Sydney’s south-west in April 1999
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Police issued a warrant for Dalamangas’ arrest the day after the fatal stabbing in Belmore (crime scene pictured)
‘The decision was made because the offence is statute-barred in Greece,’ his lawyer Giannis Apostolopoulos told local media.
‘Our arguments were accepted, particularly the fact that the offence had become time-barred under Greek law.’
Dalamangas remains ‘free on restrictive conditions’ after he recently received a suspended sentence on unrelated matters.
Back home, Mr Giannapoulos’ family has slammed the court’s decision to refuse his extradition.
‘He can give as many thumbs-ups as he likes,’ his sister Toula Giannapoulos told Nine News.
‘The whole world knows what he looks like and knows what he’s done, and if he can live with it, good luck to him.
‘For a person that is wanted by Interpol and is now allowed to cruise back home… disgusted.’
Mr Giannapoulos’s family plan to lodge an official appeal against the court’s decision and pleaded for the Albanese government to intervene.
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Toula Giannapoulos is angry that her brother’s alleged killer wont be extradited back to Australia
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James Dalamangas (pictured earlier this month) fled Australia and has spent the last 27 years working as a farmer under several aliases
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James Dalamangas (pictured before he fled Australia in 1999) remains one of Australia’s most wanted men
‘We would like the Australian government to step in, as we need to take this matter to the higher courts of Greece,’ his sister added.
‘It makes me angry that he’s been living like nothing’s ever happened while we’ve been fighting with Greece for the past 27 years to extradite him.’
A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government continues to work with authorities in Greece.
‘The Australian Government acknowledges the immense sadness and distress Mr Giannopoulos’ family and friends have endured in their search for justice,’ they said.
‘The Government has, over many years, worked closely with New South Wales authorities to seek Mr Dalamangas’ return to Australia to face prosecution in relation to the death of Mr Giannopoulos.’
‘We continue those efforts with both New South Wales and Greek authorities.’
Dalamangas had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, with the Australian Federal Police renewing a $200,000 reward for his arrest in 2024.
After attempts in 2003 to extradite Mr Dalamangas from Greece were unsuccessful, Greek authorities agreed to commence prosecution over his alleged role in the murder.
Greece suspended the process four years later when he could not be located.
SOURCE: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16001449/James-Dalamangas-extradition-refused-greece.html
