NSW Police have vowed to continue pursuing James Dalamangas despite a Greek court rejecting an Australian request to extradite him over the alleged fatal stabbing of George Giannopoulos in Sydney 27 years ago.
Greek authorities declined the extradition bid on the grounds that the case falls outside the country’s 25-year statute of limitations, dealing a major setback to investigators and the victim’s family.
However, police insist the fight is not over and are exploring alternative legal pathways, including the possibility of seeking Dalamangas’ deportation following the completion of his current prison sentence in Greece.
“We’re not giving up hope, we will continue to work with the AFP and Greek authorities, and you never say never,” a police source told The Daily Telegraph.
The decision has also devastated the Giannopoulos family. George’s sister, Toula Giannopoulos, said she was “disappointed, shocked, let down” by the ruling.
“If you’re as innocent as you’re saying you are, come back to Australia and answer the questions,” she said.
She remembered her brother as “a hard-working man, provided for his family. We miss and we love him, and his memory will forever live.”
Dalamangas, who left Australia after the incident and later settled in Greece, was arrested earlier this month. He is currently serving a prison sentence on separate weapons-related offences.
His lawyer, Niko Apostolopoulos, has maintained that the legal process is not yet complete, saying a final determination on the matter may not be made until September.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
