A Greek court has rejected Australia’s extradition request for James Dalamangas, whom New South Wales authorities want in connection with the 1999 murder of Greek-Australian George Giannopoulos at a Sydney nightclub.
The Patras Council of Appeals ruled on Wednesday that Australia’s request did not meet the legal requirements for extradition. The decision prevents Greek authorities from surrendering Dalamangas under the current proceedings.
The judges reportedly deliberated for eight to nine hours before reaching their decision. Dalamangas left Agios Stefanos Prison on July 8 while he awaited the council’s final ruling. He must remain in Greece, report regularly to a police station, and comply with other court-imposed restrictions.
Greek court rejects James Dalamangas extradition to Australia
The statute of limitations under Greek law became the central issue in the extradition proceedings. Dalamangas’ defense argued that Greek law no longer allows prosecution for the alleged offense because more than two decades have passed since Giannopoulos’ death. Australian law, by contrast, does not impose a statute of limitations on murder.
The Patras Council of Appeals found that the case did not satisfy the legal conditions required for extradition. Its ruling therefore blocks Australia’s attempt to bring Dalamangas back to New South Wales to face proceedings over the 1999 killing.
Greek criminal law generally sets a 20-year limitation period for offenses that carry a possible life sentence. Australian police had previously warned that the Greek limitation period could prevent authorities from prosecuting Dalamangas if he remained in Greece.
Australia sought James Dalamangas over 1999 Sydney killing
Australian authorities say that Dalamangas fatally stabbed Giannopoulos at a nightclub in Belmore, in Sydney’s southwest, on April 25, 1999. Giannopoulos, a 32-year-old father of two, reportedly intervened in a confrontation shortly before the attack. Dalamangas has denied responsibility for his death. Australian police issued an arrest warrant the following day. Investigators allege that Dalamangas then left Australia and traveled to Greece.
Australia first tried to secure his extradition from Greece in 2003, but the effort failed. Greek authorities later agreed to investigate and prosecute the case domestically. They suspended those proceedings in 2007 because they could not locate Dalamangas. The investigation remained active for decades.
In January 2024, the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police renewed their international appeal for information and released an age-progressed image of Dalamangas. Authorities also offered a reward of 200,000 Australian dollars for information leading to his arrest.
Arrest near Aigio ended decades-long search
Greek police located and arrested Dalamangas in early June at a rural property near Aigio, in Achaia, in the northern Peloponnese. Authorities allege that he had lived in the region for years under the name Antonis Tzimas. Local media reported that he kept a low profile and worked as a farmer.
Investigators reportedly placed the property under surveillance before they carried out the arrest. The operation ended a search that had lasted approximately 27 years and involved cooperation between Greek and Australian law enforcement agencies.
Greek court sentenced Dalamangas separately before extradition ruling
After his arrest, Dalamangas appeared before a court in Aigio on charges unrelated to the Sydney killing. The court sentenced him to two years and nine months in prison for weapons-law violations and giving false testimony.
It suspended the sentence pending appeal. The court also convicted an elderly man and a woman of harboring a fugitive. Both remain free while they appeal their convictions.
Greek authorities later transferred Dalamangas to Agios Stefanos Prison in Patras because of the pending extradition proceedings. The judicial council released him on July 8 and imposed restrictions while it considered Australia’s request.
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