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A court in Greece has ruled out extraditing James Dalamangas, one of the nation’s most wanted men, over an alleged stabbing murder in a Sydney nightclub three decades ago.
Dalamangas, now 56-years-old, was arrested at a farm property in Greece last month on an INTERPOL red notice.
It had been 27 years since Dalamangas allegedly stabbed George Giannopoulos in the stomach and neck at a Belmore nightclub in 1999.
Dalamangas allegedly fled the country and became one of the nation’s most wanted men, with his face splashed across INTERPOL websites and press conferences from both NSW and the Australian Federal Police.
His arrest in June triggered a request from Australian authorities to extradite Dalamangas back to Sydney to face the murder charge.
But the Patras Council of Appeals on Wednesday ruled Greece’s 25-year statute of limitations had passed and Dalamangas could not be extradited, according to local media.
“The decision was made because the offence is statute-barred in Greece. Our arguments were accepted, particularly the fact that the offence had become time-barred under Greek law,” one media outlet quoted Dalamangas’ lawyer, Giannis Apostolopoulos.
“Under both our country’s criminal procedure and the Greece–Australia treaty, if the offence has become time-barred in either country, that constitutes a mandatory ground for refusing extradition.”
The court had deliberated for nine hours to reach their decision, media reported.
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 who lived a quiet life with his partner.
Dalamangas’ identity was revealed after he reportedly shared false information during a police check and eventually confessed that he was wanted in Australia.
Police raided Dalamangas’ home, allegedly finding a crossbow, three knives, 13 mobile phones, a computer and three USB sticks.
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