An urgent global hunt for one of Australia’s most wanted men is on 25 years after he is believed to have left for Greece following an alleged nightclub stabbing murder.
NSW Police State Crime Command detectives and the Australian Federal Policeare seeking James Dalamangas, now aged 53 or 54, as the 25-year-long statute of limitations to prosecute him in Greece looms.
Mr Dalamangas has not been seen in Australia since soon after the April 25, 1999 fatal stabbing of Sydney father-of-two George Giannopoulos at the nightclub Knossus, also known as the Pariziana.
Police believe Mr Dalamangas left ‘soon after’ and went to live in his family’s home country, Greece.
Immediately after he vanished, his mother Chrysou or Christine Dalamangas said her son was ‘always a good boy’.
She said he likely was hiding because he was ‘scared the police will do something to him … hurt him’ as she claimed they had after his brother Peter’s death.
James Dalamangas (above) one of Australia’s most wanted men is the subject of an urgent global hunt as time runs out to have him investigated over a 1999 nightclub stabbing
Police have released an age progression photo of James Dalamangas who would now be abuot 53 and is believed to be living in Greece
Police arrested James Dalamangas after his brother Peter, a 23-year-old telecommunications workers and bodybuilder, died in a brawl with security staff at Star City Casino on January 31, 1998.
James Dalamangas, then 28, was charged with assaulting casino guards on the same night his brother died.
The Dalamangas family campaigned for justice after Peter’s death, claiming he had been ‘murdered’ at Star City.
But it was after the alleged incident in which Mr Giannopoulos die din the kitchen of the Knossus club that James Dalamangas vanished.
A warrant was issued for Mr Dalamangas’s arrest, but despite extensive inquiries he has never been located, although it is believed he is still currently residing in Greece.
After attempts in 2003 to extradite Mr Dalamangas from Greece were unsuccessful, Greek authorities agreed to commence prosecution over his alleged role in the murder.
Police want to question Mr Dalamangas over the alleged 1999 nightclub stabbing murder of father-of-two George Giannopoulos (left)
CCTV of Peter Dalamangas, then 23, in a brawl with Star City casino staff after which he died
Greece suspended the process in 2007 when he could not be located, but police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward as ‘time is now of the essence’.
NSW Detectives released an age progression photo of Dalamangas, and say he is approximately 182 cm 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.
‘We believe that someone in Greece would know where Dalamangas is living or working,’ State Crime Command criminal groups squad commander Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said on Tuesday.
‘We wish those people who may know that information to come forward and tell the authorities. They can do that anonymously if they wish.’
Mrs Dalamangas said back in 1999 she had not seen her son since the afternoon prior to Mr Giannopoulos’ death.
A colleague of the late truck driver described the alleged victim being attacked with a ‘six inch knife’ at the premises and his putting ‘serviettes on George’s neck … he recovered for a while, then it was too late’.
CrimeGreeceSydneyNew South Wales
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