A major arrest of a 55-year-old man who had been wanted by Australian authorities and Interpol for 25 years was made by Greek authorities. The suspect was wanted for the murder of Greek-Australian George Yannopoulos in Sydney, Australia in 1999. Despite the fact that the crime reached the statute of limitations under Greek law in April 2024, the issue of finding and arresting him remained open. Dalamangas murdered Yannopoulos outside a Greek nightclub in the Belmore suburb. The victim lost his life when he intervened to stop a fight between two patrons. Dalamangas allegedly attacked him suddenly, delivering fatal knife wounds. Australian authorities immediately began searching for him, however the then 28-year-old Dalamangas managed to escape to Greece.
The arrest chronicle
According to reports, the fugitive had changed his identity and was living in a village in the Aigialia region, where he had established permanent residence, appearing in the local community under the false name “Antonis Tzimas”. According to sources, the 55-year-old underwent a police check as he was leaving his house with his father and partner. When asked for his identification, he used a different name instead of his real one. The officers were not convinced as they had information about his identity and brought him in. Finally, after persistent questioning, he admitted that he was the person sought by Australian authorities.
The same sources indicate that it is estimated he has been in Greece for the past 12 years.
In 2003, Australian authorities submitted an official extradition request, which however failed. Four years later, in 2007, Greek authorities agreed to try him in Greece, however he disappeared without leaving any trace, thus leading to the suspension of the judicial process. Under Greek law, this particular crime is subject to a 25-year statute of limitations, which was completed in April 2024.
Although he believed the case had been definitively closed for him after the statute of limitations in Greece, prosecution authorities internationally, as well as Interpol, continued uninterrupted searches for his location, maintaining the red notice for his arrest. Thus, they caught him outside his house, as reported by media outlets.
After his arrest, he was transferred to the Police Sub-Directorate of Aigio, where he is being held. In the coming days, the prescribed judicial procedures regarding the extradition request to Australian authorities are expected to begin.
Source: pelop.gr, thebest, tempo24
