A fugitive who had evaded police for decades in relation to the alleged murder of a man in an Aussie nightclub in 1999 has been arrested.

One of Australia’s alleged most wanted fugitives has been arrested by Greek authorities overnight.

James Dalamangas has allegedly been on the run for 27 years after being wanted for a 1999 fatal stabbing at a Sydney nightclub.

Greek authorities revealed they had arrested the now-55-year-old in the Peloponnesian town of Aigio, near Patras, according to the Greek Reporter.

James Dalamangas has been arrested by Greek authorities after allegedly being on the run for 27 years.James Dalamangas has been arrested by Greek authorities after allegedly being on the run for 27 years. Credit: News Corp Australia

Dalamangas had been the subject of a Interpol Red Notice, with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) renewing a $200,000 reward for this arrest in 2024, over the alleged stabbing murder of George Giannopoulos..

Mr Giannopoulos had attempted to intervene in a violent brawl which had broken out at a nightclub in Belmore when Dalamangas allegedly fatally stabbed him on April 25 1999.

A warrant was issued for Dalamangas’ arrest but he allegedly fled Greece.

Attempts to extradite Dalamangas to Australia in 2003 failed, with Greek authorities later agreeing to take up the case, but Dalamangas is alleged to have evaded prosecutors four years later.

George Giannopoulos was killed on Anzac Day in 1999. George Giannopoulos was killed on Anzac Day in 1999. Credit: Supplied

According to local Greek media, authorities allegedly tracked Dalamangas to a property in the town of Aigio, near Patras, where he was alleged to be living under a false identity.

The Greek City Times said Dalamangas had been using the alias “Antonis Tzimas”, where he was known to locals as a farmer.

The greekreporter.com described Dalamangas’ house as “entirely enclosed by high walls and guarded by a large pack of aggressive dogs”.

X

live

‘Strike with full force’: Middle East conflict erupts

Middle East

2

Greek police allegedly had Dalamangas and the property under surveillance for three days before he was arrested leaving the house with his father and partner, who have both also been detained for allegedly harbouring a fugitive.

James Dalamangas, 55, was taken into custody by Greek police in Aigio. Picture: Greek City TimesJames Dalamangas, 55, was taken into custody by Greek police in Aigio. Greek City Times Credit: Supplied Source Unknown The AFP renewed their appeals to track down Mr Dalamangas with an “age-progressed” digital image of the suspect. The AFP renewed their appeals to track down Mr Dalamangas with an “age-progressed” digital image of the suspect. Credit: AFP/Supplied

According to the news site, Dalamangas allegedly “initially stuck to his cover story, giving his alias”, before later allegedly confessing his true identity.

Police searching his house later allegedly recovered “a crossbow and various sharp objects”.

In January 2024 the Australian Federal Police published an “age-accelerated” image of Dalamangas as part of a renewed appeal to locate him.

At the time, AFP Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor urged members of the Greek community to come forward with new information.

“Whether here or offshore, we will never stop chasing Mr Dalamangas and ultimatley justice for the family of George Giannopoulos,” he said.

The AFP said Mr Dalamangas had taken on a number of aliases since he allegedly fled the country, including ‘James, ‘Jim’ and ‘Tim’ with surnames ‘Dimitrious’ and ‘Kanis’.

More to come.