Manhunt Launched in Greece for Australia’s Most Wanted Fugitive

Authorities in Greece and Australia are appealing to the public and offering a reward for information on the whereabouts of James Dalamangas, one of Australia’s most wanted fugitives.

Dalamangas, a Greek Australian, is suspected of fleeing to Greece after stabbing a man to death in an Australian nightclub in 1999.

The 54-year-old fugitive is accused of the fatal stabbing of George Giannopoulos at a nightclub in Belmore, Sydney on April 25, 1999. Giannopoulos, a father of two, was reportedly trying to stop a fight when he was attacked.

According to a press release from the Australian Embassy in Athens, Dalamangas is believed to have fled to his native Greece after the incident and may still be residing in the country.

The search for his whereabouts has acquired urgency as the 25-year statute of limitations that would allow his extradition under Greek law to expire in April.

“We believe that someone in Greece would know where Dalamangas is living or working. We wish those people who may know that information [would] come forward and tell the authorities. They can do that anonymously if they wish,” New South Wales police’s Grant Taylor said in a video message appealing for help.

“Time is now of the essence,” he added.

AFP Superintendent Jared Taggart said Dalamangas has likely aged, but there isn’t any intelligence that he has modified his appearance.

“Dalamangas can do two things at any time – he can walk into the nearest police station and surrender himself or he can get on a plane and fly back to Sydney where he will be arrested,” he said. “We will be relentless until Dalamangas is in custody.”

“It’s terrible knowing that, you know, my parents buried their son, and their lives changed forever, and that he’s living and walking free, and no one has seen him,” said the victim’s sister, Toula Giannopoulos, in the same video appeal.

Australia offers reward for fugitive believed to be in Greece

A reward of 200,000 Australian dollars – the equivalent of about 123,000 euros – is being offered for information leading to Dalamangas’ arrest. This can also be claimed by people outside Australia.

The suspect, who is of Greek origin, is described as being of Mediterranean appearance, approximately 182 centimeters tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a tattoo with Greek writing on his right forearm.

James Dalamangas is wanted over the accused fatal stabbing of Sydney man George Giannopoulous at a nightclub in Belmore on April 25, 1999, before it’s alleged he fled to Greece.

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He may go by the names “James,” “Jim,” “Tim,” “Demetrios,” “Dimitris,” “Mitsos,” “Takis,” or “Kanis.” Given the amount of time he is believed to have lived in Greece, Dalamangas presumably speaks good Greek.

Australian police released photographs of Dalamangas and an illustration of what he might look like today at the age of 54.

Anyone with information on Dalamangas’ whereabouts can contact the Hellenic Police by calling the three-digit number 100.