Greek police have arrested James Dalamangas, 55, one of Australia's most wanted fugitives, in the town of Aigio where he had been living under the alias Antonis Tzimas — but his prosecution faces an immediate legal complication: as a Greek citizen, he may demand to be tried in Greece, where the 25-year statute of limitations on homicide could see the case dismissed entirely.
Mr. Dalamangas is wanted in Australia for the 1999 fatal stabbing of Sydney nightclub owner George Giannopoulos and is also being investigated over the unsolved 1997 shooting death of another Greek-Australian, Tim Vokelatos. Australia enforces no statute of limitations on murder, meaning full prosecution awaits him if extradited. A ruling on jurisdictional status is expected within 50 days.
Neighbours described a man who had fortified his home with high walls, kept more than 20 dogs and told his long-term partner — a 46-year-old teacher who says she knew nothing of his past — that he was hiding from a family feud.
Mr. Dalamangas had also claimed to have terminal lung cancer.
His mother publicly defended him, saying the 1999 killing was carried out in self-defence against a dangerous individual.
Mr. Dalamangas has not yet entered a plea.
The arrest ends a 27-year manhunt and opens a legal confrontation between two jurisdictions with sharply divergent approaches to time limits on murder prosecution — a case that Greek legal experts say has no straightforward outcome.