Australian fugitive to fight extradition as he breaks silence outside Greek court

James Dalamangas made an allegation about his brother's death as his lawyer argued against his extradition to Australia.

Greek media has reported that James Dalamangas had been living in the country for years under an alias and keeping a low profile. Credit: Eurokinissi / Andreas Alexopoulos

IN BRIEF

• Australian fugitive James Dalamangas has appeared in court after being arrested in Greece.
• NSW Police officials have welcomed the arrest and said they are continuing to engage with Greek authorities.

Australian fugitive James Dalamangas has made allegations about the death of his brother outside a courtroom where he is fighting to avoid extradition to Australia.

Speaking after appearing before a court in the Western Greek city of Patras, Dalamangas' defence lawyer Nikos Apostolopoulos said his client's Greek citizenship and the passage of time meant extradition should not proceed.

"There is a bilateral cooperation relationship with Australia, but because the act is statute-barred under the Greek Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, he cannot be extradited to the Australian authorities," Apostolopoulos reportedly told local media.

He said the decision about his client's extradition would now be determined by Greece's Council of Appeals.

"Our main legal claim is that the offence is statute-barred," he was quoted as saying, adding that his client denies the allegations against him.

As he left court, Dalamangas made allegations about the death of his brother, Peter Dalamangas, who died after being restrained by security guards at a Sydney casino in 1998.

"Let the world know the truth. They murdered my brother in 1998 at the casino," he reportedly told local media.

He also alleged a police officer was responsible for his brother's death, claims for which no evidence has been presented.

Dalamangas appeared in court with white hair and a white beard after being arrested in Greece, where authorities allege he had been living under a false identity.

Greek authorities have also made separate allegations of forgery and impersonation against him.

His father and partner were also reportedly detained over allegations of harbouring a fugitive.

Australian authorities welcome arrest

Dalamangas remains wanted by Australian authorities over the alleged murder of George Giannopoulos in Sydney in 1999.

Authorities allege Giannopoulos was fatally stabbed while attempting to intervene during violence at a nightclub in Sydney's southwest before Dalamangas fled Australia.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the force was "encouraged by reports of the arrest" and that Australian authorities were continuing to engage with their counterparts in Greece.

According to reporting in The Daily Telegraph, NSW Police had continued sharing information with Greek authorities regarding Dalamangas' whereabouts in the lead-up to the arrest, which came after Australian authorities sought his return under an Interpol Red Notice.

Attempts to extradite him to Australia in the early 2000s were unsuccessful, with Greek authorities later agreeing to pursue the matter locally.

A legal process will now determine whether Dalamangas can be returned to Australia or whether further proceedings take place in Greece.

Arrest after years out of sight

Greek media has reported that Dalamangas had been living in the country for years under an alias in a rural property near Patras, where neighbours reportedly described him as keeping a low profile and working as a farmer.

Greek outlet Tempo24 reported that Dalamangas lived under the name Antonis Tzimas for 18 years in the rural village of Alsos. Authorities believe he purchased property in the village and was known as a farmer.

Reports from Greece also said police monitored the property before arresting Dalamangas alongside his father and partner.

Police allegedly recovered multiple mobile phones, electronic devices and weapons during searches of the property.

The arrest followed years of public appeals and investigative efforts in Australia and Greece, with George Giannopoulos' family previously urging anyone with information to come forward.

Australian police had previously offered $200,000 for information leading to Dalamangas' capture, as previous public calls for information failed to produce fresh leads on the 55-year-old's whereabouts.

NSW and federal police made their most recent public appeal to locate Dalamangas in 2024, as the 25-year-long statute of limitations approached in Greece.

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