‘Expose corrupt NSW Police’: Murder suspect’s outburst outside Greek court

A man who was yesterday arrested in Greece after spending 27 years on the run as a suspect in a 1999 stabbing death at a Sydney nightclub erupted at the news cameras assembled as he was marched out of a court building.

In a white t-shirt, hands cuffed behind his back, 55-year-old James Dalamangas shouted two statements.

“Justice for Peter Dalamangas! Expose corrupt NSW Police!” he said.

Peter Dalamangas, James’ brother, died in 1998 after being restrained by security guards at Star City casino in Sydney.

James Dalamangas is suspected of having killed George Giannopoulos in a Belmore nightclub in 1999.

Police issued a warrant for his arrest at the time after Giannopoulos was killed, but it was believed Dalamangas had already fled the country, with police suspecting he had moved to Greece.

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Australian authorities are expected to petition for Dalamangas to be extradited, but it’s been reported he will fight the attempt, and maintains his innocence.

Greek police yesterday confirmed a Greek national had been arrested at noon on Sunday, June 7, local time (about 7pm Sunday AEST), at a rural property in Achaia.

Investigators in Greece said Dalamangas had been living in Achaia with false identification.

Police pulled him over while he was driving with an 86-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, now understood to be Dalamangas’s father and partner.

During the stop, Dalamangas allegedly provided false information about his identity and claimed he did not have ID on him.

Police then fingerprinted him, which brought up the international arrest warrant from Australia.

Police allege they also seized a crossbow, arrows, knives, a laptop, three USB drives, and 13 mobile phones from Dalamangas’ home.

Dalamangas was charged by Greek police with weapons offences and making false statements.

The 86-year-old and 47-year-old who were in the car with Dalamangas at the time were charged with harbouring a criminal. They also remain in custody.

Giannopoulos’s family expressed their “sincere gratitude” to Greek authorities and police for their investigative efforts during the past 27 years.

“In particular, we would like to acknowledge Commander Iordanis Magerakis and his team for their dedication and commitment in helping bring about this significant development,” they said.

“We also wish to thank the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police Force for never giving up on George’s case. Despite the passage of time, they continued to work tirelessly behind the scenes in pursuit of justice. We are especially grateful to Grant Taylor and his team for their support, professionalism and persistence over many years.

“While today’s arrest cannot undo the pain our family has endured since George Giannopoulos was taken from us in Sydney in 1999, it provides hope that justice may finally be within reach.

“We now hope that the Australian and Greek governments will work together to ensure that James Dalamangas is returned to Australia to face the Australian judicial system and answer the allegations relating to the murder of George Giannopoulos. After more than 27 years, our family remains committed to seeing this matter heard where it began and to ensuring that accountability is pursued through the proper legal process.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported our family throughout this long journey. George has never been forgotten, and he never will be.”