One of Australia’s most wanted fugitives arrested in Greece after 27-year manhunt (original) (raw)

James Dalamangas, 55, appeared markedly different from age-progressed images circulated in recent years, now with white hair and a white beard.

Greek authorities have arrested one of Australia’s most wanted fugitives, a Greek-Australian man accused of a fatal stabbing outside a Sydney nightclub in 1999, ending a nearly 27-year international manhunt, police said Monday.

James Dalamangas, 55, was arrested at a rural property near the seaside town of Aigio in the Peloponnese region following a major police operation, Greek and Australian authorities said.

Australian police allege Dalamangas fled Sydney shortly after the killing of George Giannopoulos, who was fatally stabbed outside a Belmore nightclub in 1999 during an altercation. An arrest warrant was issued within 24 hours of Giannopoulos’ death.

Authorities said Giannopoulos, a father of two, was trying to break up a violent fight when he was attacked. Police allege Dalamangas carried out the attack before fleeing the country.

Footage of the arrest showed heavily armed officers surrounding the farmhouse before escorting Dalamangas away in handcuffs.

As seen in photographs circulated by local media, Dalamangas appeared markedly different from age-progressed images circulated in recent years, now with white hair and a white beard.

According to Greek and Australian media reports, he had allegedly been living under a false identity in Aigio for decades, using the name “Antonis Tzimas.” Neighbors described him as a quiet resident who tended olive groves, maintained his property and lived a low-profile rural life.

Australian authorities offered a reward of 200,000 Australian dollars (€122,000) for information leading to his capture and renewed public appeals in 2024 as Greece’s 25-year statute of limitations approached.

A previous extradition attempt in 2003 failed. Greek authorities later assumed responsibility for the investigation, which reportedly stalled in 2007 after leads dried up.

Greek police said renewed intelligence in recent months led them to the property in Aigio, where officers carried out a three-day surveillance operation before moving in to arrest him.

When approached by officers, Dalamangas initially gave a false identity but later admitted who he was during questioning at a local police station, according to officials.

Police also searched the property after the arrest and reportedly seized a crossbow and several sharp objects.

Dalamangas is being held at police headquarters in Aigio and is expected to appear before an appeals prosecutor in Patra, where extradition proceedings to Australia are expected to begin. [Combined reports]