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Greek-Australian family outraged by reports of non-extradition of alleged murderer
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Greek-Australian family outraged by reports of non-extradition of alleged murderer

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A Greek woman in Australia expressed outrage and disappointment over reports that Greece would not extradite James Dalamangas, accused of murdering her brother, George Yannopoulos.
  • The family feels betrayed by Greece, questioning the decision-making process and the potential early release of the accused.
  • A key witness, fearing for his safety, stated he spoke out for justice and fears retaliation if Dalamangas is not extradited.

Tula Yannopoulos, the sister of George Yannopoulos, who was murdered, has sent a message of anger and disappointment from Australia following reports of Greece's potential refusal to extradite the accused, James Dalamangas.

We are Greek citizens. What is Greece doing for us?

— Tula YannopoulosYannopoulos expressed her family's feeling of betrayal by Greece's potential decision not to extradite the accused.

"We are Greek citizens. What is Greece doing for us?" Yannopoulos questioned, expressing her family's feeling of betrayal. She learned of the alleged non-extradition on June 22 from a relative, initially hearing the news through television reports. "I would like to know how such a decision was made without official legal documents from Greece. For us, it was unacceptable," she stated.

I would like to know how such a decision was made without official legal documents from Greece. For us, it was unacceptable.

— Tula YannopoulosYannopoulos questioned the process behind the alleged non-extradition decision.

Yannopoulos believes that clarifications regarding the non-extradition were issued only after pressure from the Greek Prime Minister and the Australian ambassador. "Greece has become a laughingstock in Australia right now," she emphasized. Despite the immense disappointment, she hopes the final decision will be different, citing the 1991 bilateral extradition treaty. The family is collecting signatures to send to the prime minister and ambassadors, with Yannopoulos hoping a television show will continue to give voice to the case until justice is served.

Greece has become a laughingstock in Australia right now.

— Tula YannopoulosYannopoulos described the international perception of Greece following the reports.

The key witness, whose testimony led to Dalamangas' arrest, also spoke out, living in fear. "If he is not extradited and is released, I don't know what I will do," the witness said. "I spoke because I believed it was the right thing to do and I wanted justice to be served. I fear he will consider me responsible for his arrest. Even today, I am afraid to go out the door." The witness stated that Australian authorities contacted him once after Dalamangas' arrest, offering a reward and housing. However, he said, "I don't care about these things. I said what I knew and did what I thought was right."

If he is not extradited and is released, I don't know what I will do.

— Key WitnessThe witness expressed fear and uncertainty about the potential consequences if Dalamangas is not extradited.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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