Homicide detectives are stepping up their appeal to find one of Australia’s most wanted fugitives who fled the country after allegedly stabbing a father to death in Sydney two decades ago.

James Dalamangas allegedly killed George Giannopoulos when the 32-year-old father of two intervened in a fight at a Belmore nightclub on Anzac Day in 1999.

Police have never been able to trace Dalamangas after he reportedly fled to Greece shortly after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

After attempts to extradite Dalamangas failed in 2003, Greek authorities agreed to begin a prosecution over his alleged role in the killing.

That process was suspended in 2007 when he could not be located.

It’s believed he is still residing in Greece.

As the 25-year-long Greek statute of limitations nears, police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward to assist in finding Dalamangas.

In a statement issued by the Australian Federal Police on January 5,

State Crime Command detectives, together with the family of George Giannopoulos and the Australian Federal Police, are appealing for global public assistance to find James Dalamangas – one of Australia’s most wanted men.

James Dalamangas is wanted over the fatal stabbing of Sydney man George Giannopoulous at a nightclub in Belmore on Sunday 25 April 1999, before it’s alleged he fled to Greece.

The next day, a warrant was issued for Mr Dalamangas’s arrest; however, despite extensive inquiries he has never been located. It’s believed he is still currently residing in Greece.

After attempts to extradite Mr Dalamangas from Greece were not successful in 2003, Greek authorities agreed to commence the prosecution of Mr Dalamangas over his alleged role in the murder.

That process was suspended in 2007 when he could not be located.

As the 25-year-long Greek statute of limitations nears, police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward – particularly if they can assist in locating Mr Dalamangas in Greece.

As part of these inquiries to locate Mr Dalamangas in Greece, police have renewed their appeal for information alongside the Giannopoulos family and delivered a message in Greek for Greek audiences.

Police have also published an age-progression image of James Dalamangas, showing what he may look like now, aged 54.

The AFP statement said that “records indicate Mr Dalamangas is of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, approximately 182cm tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and a Greek inscription tattoo on his right forearm. He may be using the names ‘James’, ‘Jim’ or ‘Tim’ with surnames ‘Dimitrious’ or ‘Kanis’.”

Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor, Commander of NSW State Crime Command’s Criminal Group Squad, said police “have a limited amount of time left to prosecute Dalamangas in Greece, so are upping the ante to find him.”

“Mr Dalamangas could be a free man this year under the Greek statute of limitations, which is why it’s a priority of the NSW Police Force to up the ante and make sure he’s brought to justice – whether that’s here or offshore, we will never stop chasing.

“Today, we’re directly appealing to members of our Greek community – and those who might hear our pleas in Greece – that now is the time to come forward.

“The AFP has a strong relationship with the Hellenic Police, who are highly-capable and trusted partners, and we will work with our partners in NSW and around the world to leverage every avenue to ensure this man is brought to justice.” AFP Superintendent Transnational Operations Jared Taggart

“We also want to remind people there is a $200,000 reward in place for information leading to the arrest of Mr Dalamangas – that’s approximately $123,000 in euros and can be claimed internationally.”

The statement from the AFP, and the New South Wales Police Force “continues to work closely with Greek authorities in their bid to find Mr Dalamangas.”

AFP Superintendent Transnational Operations Jared Taggart said the AFP had members based in the region, who are liaising with Greek authorities.

“Specialist investigators from our Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) are extraordinarily successful in locating fugitives who are the subject of arrest warrants for murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking, money laundering and serious fraud,” Superintendent Taggart said.

“The team includes dedicated intelligence resources and uses capabilities and techniques to find alleged offenders, some who have changed their appearances and have assumed new identities. Their job is to work in direct support of NSW Police to identify and locate people like Mr Dalamangas who think they can hide from the AFP and its international partners.

“The AFP has a strong relationship with the Hellenic Police, who are highly-capable and trusted partners, and we will work with our partners in NSW and around the world to leverage every avenue to ensure this man is brought to justice.”

Inquiries to locate James Dalamangas continue.

A $200,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest in 2019.

Dalamangas is Mediterranean in appearance, between 180 and 185 cm tall with a medium build, dark hair and brown eyes.

Source: AAP and AFP Media