Greece’s court has rejected Australia’s extradition request for James Dalamangas, whom authorities in New South Wales sought over the 1999 stabbing of George Giannopoulos in Sydney.
The court ruled that Dalamangas did not qualify for extradition because the alleged offense falls outside Greece’s statute of limitations. The decision means he will remain in Greece instead of returning to Australia to face charges connected to the murder.
Dalamangas, 55, had remained wanted by Australian authorities for decades over the death of Giannopoulos, a father of two who died after a stabbing outside a Sydney nightclub in 1999. His arrest in Greece earlier this month raised hopes that the long-running case could finally move forward in an Australian court.
The ruling marks a major setback for New South Wales authorities, who requested Dalamangas’ extradition after Greek police arrested him.
Under Greek law, the court found that the time limit for the alleged offense had expired, creating a legal barrier to extradition. As a result, Greece dismissed Australia’s request.
The decision carries particular significance because Dalamangas is a Greek citizen and had lived in Greece for years before police located and arrested him.
The family of George Giannopoulos had hoped Dalamangas would finally return to New South Wales to face court more than two decades after the killing.
Following the Greek court’s decision, the family wrote to Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, urging the federal government to continue pursuing the case.
For the Giannopoulos family, the rejection of the extradition request marks another painful setback in a decades-long search for justice. They now want Australian officials to explore any remaining legal options.
Greek police arrested Dalamangas at a rural property near Aigio, in the northern Peloponnese. Authorities said he had allegedly lived under the false identity of Antonis Tzimas.
According to local reports, Dalamangas spent years in the area and worked as an olive farmer. His quiet life in Greece ended after a long investigation involving Greek and Australian authorities.
Police reportedly placed the property under surveillance before they moved in to arrest him, ending a manhunt that had lasted nearly three decades.
Before Greece rejected Australia’s extradition request, James Dalamangas had already appeared before a local court on unrelated offenses.
The court in Aigio sentenced him to two years and nine months in prison for weapons violations and false testimony, a case separate from the 1999 killing of George Giannopoulos in Sydney.
Two others, an 86-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, were also found guilty of harboring a fugitive. Both were temporarily released pending appeal.
