Greek court rejects Australia’s request to extradite James Dalamangas

A Greece Court has rejected Australia’s request to extradite one of the country’s most wanted men.

James Dalamangas was sensationally arrested from a Greek olive farm in June after 25 years on the run. Australian authorities allege he murdered father of two George Giannopoulos in a Sydney bar in 1999.

The Court of Appeal council of Patras ruled against the extradition of Dalamangas in a hearing. Judges deliberated for more than 8 hours to reach their decision.

The council ruled that the extradition request did not meet the legal requirements, with a loophole in local law that bans the extradition of any accused criminal more than 25 years after the alleged offence.

Dalamangas is accused of stabbing 32-year-old Giannopoulos in the stomach and neck during a brawl at a Belmore nightclub.

In the hours that followed, Giannopoulos died while Dalamangas, detectives say, fled Australia for Greece.

He was arrested this month on a tip-off from Sydney police, raising hopes that justice could finally be served.

Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland pledged to ensure Dalamangas can still “face the full force of the law,” as NSW police “explore every available legal avenue.”

The Giannopoulos family has always insisted on all of that and more.

With the Greek courts no help, Canberra is now expected to walk a diplomatic path, asking the Greek government to explore any and every option to intervene or overrule the court’s decision.

“There is still the glimmer of hope that we may bring this bloke back to face justice, but it is only a glimmer,” McNab said.

Criminal lawyer Paul McGirr was even more pessimistic.

“It’s seen as a spent matter,” he said. “I certainly don’t believe he’ll be stepping out of Greece anytime soon and certainly not back to Australia.”