A Greek appeals court has rejected Australia’s request to extradite James Dalamangas, a 56-year-old man wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing in Sydney in 1999.
The Court of Appeals in Patras ruled that the legal requirements for extradition were not met and refused to surrender Dalamangas to the Australian authorities.
Following the decision, the 56-year-old was released from custody on July 8 from Agios Stefanos Prison under restrictive conditions.
Wanted over a 1999 homicide case
Dalamangas was arrested in early June in western Greece after an international arrest warrant was activated.
Australian authorities have been seeking his extradition over the fatal stabbing of George Giannopoulos, a Greek-Australian man who was killed during an altercation at a nightclub in the Sydney suburb of Belmore in 1999.
According to the indictment, Giannopoulos was stabbed while attempting to intervene and stop a fight between patrons. Australian police issued an arrest warrant the day after the incident, but the suspect had already left the country.
Court cites Greek law
The Greek court based its decision on national legislation, under which the homicide offence is considered to have exceeded the 20-year statute of limitations.
The ruling contrasts with Australian law, where no statute of limitations applies to homicide cases.
According to Dalamangas’ defense lawyer, the court found that his client is protected under Greek law as a Greek citizen, preventing his extradition under the circumstances.
