James Dalamangas has appeared before a court in Greece after being arrested over the alleged fatal stabbing of Sydney man George Giannopoulos nearly three decades ago.
The 55-year-old fronted an extradition hearing in the city of Patras on Monday, following his arrest by Greek authorities in the Peloponnese town of Aigio, where investigators allege he had been living under a false identity for years.
Australian authorities are seeking Dalamangas’ return to Australia over the 1999 death of Giannopoulos, who was fatally stabbed during a violent altercation at the Pariziana nightclub in Belmore on Anzac Day.
Appearing in court wearing a bulletproof vest and escorted by police, Dalamangas reportedly maintained his innocence. Greek media outlets alleged he had been living under the alias “Antonis Tzimas” and was known locally as a quiet olive grove farmer.
Dalamangas has allegedly been on the run for 27 years after leaving Australia shortly after the incident. Previous attempts to extradite him from Greece in 2003 were unsuccessful, while Greek authorities later pursued the case domestically before he allegedly evaded prosecutors.
Greek police reportedly placed the property where he was living under surveillance before arresting him as he left the residence with family members. Local reports claim officers also detained his father and partner for allegedly harbouring a fugitive.
As he left the courthouse, Dalamangas reportedly shouted: “Justice for Peter Dalamangas,” referring to his younger brother, who died following an incident involving security guards at Sydney’s Star City Casino in 1998.
The Giannopoulos family welcomed the arrest, thanking both Australian and Greek authorities for continuing to pursue the case over many years.
“While today’s arrest cannot undo the pain our family has endured since George Giannopoulos was taken from us in Sydney in 1999, it provides hope that justice may finally be within reach,” the family said in a statement.
The Australian Federal Police had renewed a $200,000 reward for information leading to Dalamangas’ arrest in 2024 and previously released an age-progressed image as part of ongoing international efforts to locate him.
Dalamangas is expected to return to court in Greece later this week as extradition proceedings continue.
Source: news.com.au
