By Sarah McPhee
Police have launched a global appeal to find James Dalamangas, considered one of Australia’s most wanted men, warning “time is now of the essence” as an end date looms to prosecute him in Greece over his alleged involvement in a Sydney nightclub murder.
NSW Police State Crime Command detectives and the Australian Federal Police believe Dalamangas is still living in Greece, having left Sydney “soon after” the fatal incident almost 25 years ago.
A photo of James Dalamangas (left) and an age progression photo of him.Credit: AFP
Dalamangas is wanted over the fatal stabbing of father-of-two George Giannopoulos at a nightclub in Belmore, in Sydney’s south-west, on April 25, 1999. A warrant was issued for his arrest, but he has never been found.
Detectives have released an age progression photo of Dalamangas, who would now be aged 53 or 54. Police say he is approximately 182 centimetres tall, has brown hair, brown eyes and a Greek inscription tattoo on his right forearm. He may be using the names James, Jim or Tim with the surnames Dimitrious or Kanis.
“Time is now of the essence,” State Crime Command criminal groups squad commander Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said on Tuesday.
“We believe that someone in Greece would know where Dalamangas is living or working. We wish those people who may know that information to come forward and tell the authorities. They can do that anonymously if they wish.”
Authorities determined in 2003 that any prosecution of Dalamangas would occur in Greece, but that process was suspended in 2007 due to the difficulties in finding him.
Taylor said the 25-year statute of limitations in Greece – regarding the ability to prosecute Dalamangas – is “looming”.
“We’re doing everything we can to assist the Hellenic Police in trying to identify where in fact Dalamangas is at this present day,” he said.
“Whatever happens in April, the NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police will continue to pursue James Dalamangas, wherever he is in the world. It just means, basically, within Greece, he may not be prosecuted after April [2024].”
George Giannopoulos, who died after he was stabbed in Belmore in 1999.Credit: NSW Police
He said if Dalamangas was to leave Greece, “then all bets are off”, and police would continue efforts to bring him to Australia.
Taylor said a $200,000 reward for information regarding Dalamangas’ location remains available to anyone in Australia and overseas, including in Greece.
“That’s a lot of money,” he said. “We’re hoping that will be the catalyst that will assist us.”
Toula Giannopoulos said her loving, caring brother George was “tragically stolen” from his family at 32, leaving behind a wife and two young children who grew up without a father.
“My parents left their motherland to come here to the land of opportunity,” she said.
“They were hard-working, honest people who wanted to provide the best life for us and to help support their family back in Greece. The last thing they expected was to be burying their son.”
She said their parents were now elderly, and urged people to help bring closure to the family’s “25 years of battling through loss and grief”.
AFP Superintendent Jared Taggart said intelligence indicates Dalamangas almost certainly remains in Greece.
“In the event that information is received in relation to Mr Dalamangas’ location, the AFP’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) will work very closely with the Hellenic Police to locate him and assist in his arrest,” he said.
Taggart said wanted people can alter their appearance or assume new identities, but FAST continues to “relentlessly pursue people like Mr Dalamangas”, who would have aged and may have changed his diet.
“Mr Dalamangas … can walk into the nearest Hellenic Police station and surrender himself, or he can get on a plane and fly back to Sydney tomorrow, where he’ll be arrested,” he said.
Regarding time limits impacting the case, he said the AFP “will not stop” until Dalamangas is in custody.
Members of the public are warned not to approach a wanted person, but rather call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or triple zero if the person is sighted. Reports can also be made online.
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