One of Australia's most wanted men has faced court in Greece as a new fight begins to have the accused killer extradited to Australia. James Dalamangas spoke publicly for the first time since he vanished in 1999 following a Belmore stabbing, declaring his innocence and vowing to stay in Greece.
The change in Dalamangas over 27 years may be drastic, but the accused murderer speaks as though he lost his brother Peter only yesterday. "Let the world know the truth. They murdered my brother in 1998 at the casino in Sydney," he said.
Using his first court appearance in Greece to call for justice for his dead brother Peter, Dalamangas was there to face his own alleged crime. He is accused of stabbing George Giannopoulos to death in a Belmore nightclub in 1999, with authorities worried all that time could be on his side.
"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," former NSW Police detective Duncan McNab said. Dalamangas is a Greek citizen, with his lawyer telling journalists he will fight extradition to Australia.
If he stays in Greece, he will not be charged over the fatal stabbing. The statute of limitations for murder there expires after 25 years. "Greece and the Mediterranean area has been a sunny place for shady people. They could disappear," McNab noted.
Dalamangas was living under the name Antonis Tzimas, apparently as an olive grove farmer with dozens of Rottweilers. Greek police waited outside for three days before he finally emerged. They were given just three words to find him: Antonis, Australian and tattoo. On his skin, a Greek phrase "Molon Lave", meaning "come and get them".
On Wednesday he could learn if Australian police will ever get him.
