A Greek court has sentenced James Dalamangas, the 55-year-old fugitive wanted in Australia over a 1999 Sydney killing, following his arrest in the Peloponnese after nearly 27 years on the run.

Dalamangas appeared before a judge in the town of Aigio on Thursday, just days after Greek police arrested him at a nearby rural property. Australian authorities have long sought his extradition in connection with the fatal stabbing of George Giannopoulos, a father of two, outside a Sydney nightclub in 1999.

Greek court sentences James Dalamangas after arrest near Aigio

Greek police arrested Dalamangas at a rural property near Aigio, where he had allegedly been living under the false identity of Antonis Tzimas.

According to local reports, he had lived in the area for years and worked as an olive farmer. The court sentenced Dalamangas to two years and nine months in prison on weapons and false testimony charges. Greek authorities also convicted two other people, an 86-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, of harboring a fugitive. However, both received temporary release pending appeals against their sentences.

Australia seeks James Dalamangas over Sydney killing

Australian authorities are expected to submit a formal extradition request in the coming weeks. They are seeking Dalamangas’ return to face proceedings related to the 1999 killing.

Former NSW Police detective Duncan McNab revealed the extradition process will depend on the Greek legal system and government. “Ultimately, this will go through the courts in Greece, reviewed by the government. They may make a decision to send him back to us. I hope they do,” McNab said.

Dalamangas, who holds Greek citizenship, is expected to oppose any attempt to extradite him to Australia. His lawyer has indicated that he intends to fight the process.

Greek statute of limitations may complicate case

If Dalamangas remains in Greece, he is unlikely to face murder charges over the 1999 incident, as the statute of limitations for murder under Greek law expires after 25 years.

According to reports, police identified and located Dalamangas based on limited information, including a tattoo bearing the Ancient Greek phrase “Molon Lave,” meaning “Come and get them.” Authorities then placed his property under surveillance prior to  carrying out the arrest.

Greek authorities have arrested a 55-year-old Greek-Australian fugitive wanted for a 1999 murder in Sydney, ending a 27-year international manhunt. James Dalamangas, the target of a longstanding Interpol Red Notice, was apprehended in the Peloponnesian town of Aigio, near Patras, where he had been living off the grid under a false identity.

The arrest is a major development in a cold case that has spanned nearly three decades. Dalamangas is the prime suspect in the murder of Greek expatriate George Giannopoulos.

Who did Dalamangas kill in Sydney in 1999

The fatal incident occurred in 1999 at a nightclub in Sydney, Australia. According to the case file, Giannopoulos attempted to act as a peacemaker, stepping in to stop a violent brawl that had erupted between two patrons. During his intervention, Dalamangas allegedly launched a sudden attack, inflicting fatal knife wounds on the victim. While Australian law enforcement issued an arrest warrant within 24 hours of the stabbing, the suspect managed to flee Australia and escape to Greece before he could be detained.

For 27 years, Dalamangas lived undetected in the Aigialeia region, specifically in the Alsos community. He adopted the alias “Antonios Tzimas” to integrate into the local society, leaning on his family ties to the area, as his mother originally hailed from the nearby village of Temeni.

To maintain his cover, he resided in a property described by local media as a fortress. The house was entirely enclosed by high walls and guarded by a large pack of aggressive dogs, apparently a deliberate measure designed to prevent anyone from approaching the premises uninvited.

Greek police recently obtained significant intelligence regarding his exact whereabouts and initiated a strict stakeout. Officers maintained continuous surveillance outside the fortified compound for three days, waiting for the suspect to make a mistake. The operation concluded successfully when Dalamangas exited the property, accompanied by his father and his partner.

Officers immediately intercepted the group and requested identification. The 55-year-old initially stuck to his cover story, giving his alias. Because authorities possessed concrete proof regarding his true identity, they brought him in for further questioning. Faced with persistent interrogation at the police station, he ultimately confessed to being the fugitive wanted by Australian authorities since 1999. Following the admission, investigators searched the Aigio property to determine if he possessed additional forged documents. The search yielded a crossbow and various sharp objects.

What will happen to Dalamangas now

Dalamangas is currently held at the Aigio police headquarters. He is scheduled to appear before the appeals prosecutor in Patras on Monday, June 8, 2026. This hearing will initiate the official judicial procedures required for his extradition back to Australia.

The successful capture drew praise from the commander of the Aigio Security Department, who played a central role in coordinating the raid.