Last-ditch plea as window closes to nab accused killer

An appeal has been made directly to the Greek "motherland" as the window closes to bring an alleged murderer to justice for a 25-year-old killing.

Father-of-two George Giannopolous was fatally stabbed when he intervened during a fight in a Sydney suburban nightclub on Anzac Day in 1999.

His sister on Tuesday made a public appeal in both English and Greek for information to help hold the 32-year-old's accused killer, James Dalamangas, accountable for the Belmore attack.

Toula Giannopoulos, sister of George Giannopoulos, speaks to media
Toula Giannopoulos appealed for information to help hold her brother's accused killer accountable.

"It's been 25 years of battling through loss and grief with no justice or closure to help us through this pain," Toula Giannopolous said.

Police have never been able to trace Dalamangas - an underworld figure considered one of Australia's most-wanted men - after he reportedly fled to Greece shortly after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

After attempts to extradite him failed in 2003, Greek authorities agreed to begin their own prosecution over his alleged role in the killing.

That process was suspended in 2007 when he could not be located, but investigators believe he is still residing in the European country.

Ms Giannopolous said her brother was a loving husband and father, adding that the siblings' now-elderly parents had long suffered because of his death.

"I believe there's people both here and in Greece who are covering (Dalamangas) up and it makes it damn hard for my family," she said. 

Ms Giannopolous called for the alleged murderer to turn himself in, saying justice would mean everything to her family.

NSW Police superintendent Grant Taylor said police believed there were people in Greece who knew where Dalamangas could be found.

George Giannopoulos (file image)
George Giannopolous was fatally stabbed when he intervened during a fight on Anzac Day in 1999.

"We want to emphasise that the family is Greek as well," he said. 

"They're appealing to the hearts of the motherland."

Australian Federal Police superintendent Jared Taggart said his organisation had been working closely with Hellenic Police as the 25-year-long Greek statute of limitations neared its end in April.

Once the period was up, the prosecution of Dalamangas within Greece was unlikely. 

"We will continue to do whatever we can to bring him back to Australia," Detective Superintendent Taylor said.

A $200,000 reward remains in place for information leading to Dalamangas's arrest and police released an image of what the 54-year-old may look like today.

Dalamangas's brother Peter died in 1998 after being held to the ground by up to seven security officers during an altercation at Sydney's Star City casino.

A magistrate described the now-fugitive as the "catalyst" for the brawl, in which he was also injured.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store