Australian fugitive James Dalamangas is fighting extradition to Australia as Greek courts consider whether he should be returned to face charges over the 1999 stabbing death of George Giannopoulos in Sydney.
The 55-year-old was arrested in Aigio after being sought by Australian authorities and Interpol for almost three decades. He is accused of murdering Giannopoulos, who was allegedly stabbed in the neck and stomach while attempting to break up a fight at Sydney’s Pariziana nightclub on Anzac Day in 1999.
Dalamangas’ lawyer said his client denies the allegation and argued the offence is now time-barred under Greek law.
“My client denies the act attributed to him. In any case, his claim is that the offence has become statute-barred according to the laws in force in Greece. He does not consent to his extradition,” the lawyer said.
The defence also argued that a bilateral extradition agreement between Greece and Australia protects Dalamangas as a Greek citizen. “The offence has been statute-barred and, consequently, we consider that his extradition is not permitted under any circumstances,” the lawyer said.
Separate proceedings are also underway after Greek police allegedly discovered crossbows, arrows and knives at his rural property. Dalamangas has been charged with weapons offences and making false statements. A hearing on those charges was postponed until Thursday.
His 86-year-old father and 47-year-old partner are also facing allegations linked to harbouring a wanted person, while all three remain in custody after a request for release was rejected.
Dalamangas’ mother told local media her son “hadn’t done anything wrong” and claimed he had previously received death threats.
The extradition proceedings have attracted attention in both Greece and Australia. Authorities say a decision could take up to 40 days, with the Appeals Council set to determine whether the legal conditions for extradition are met.
The case has also renewed focus on the unsolved 1997 killing of Tim Voukelatos, in which Dalamangas was considered a suspect but was never charged. Speaking from Sydney, Voukelatos’ daughter Vasiliki said she still wanted answers nearly three decades later.
“I would ask him ‘did you do it, who did it, what happened, why did it happen?’” she said.
The families of both Giannopoulos and Voukelatos have called for Dalamangas to be extradited to Australia.
