Dalamágas: Released on bail pending decision on extradition to Australia
The request for release of the 56-year-old Greek-Australian was accepted under strict conditions. The Patras Court of Appeals will rule on whether he will be extradited to Sydney.
James Dalamágas released — decision on extradition to Sydney pending
The Patras Court of Appeals accepted the request for release of James Dalamágas, the 56-year-old Greek-Australian who is accused by Australian authorities of the murder of a fellow countryman. He will remain free on bail until the Court of Appeals convenes to decide on his possible extradition to Australia.
According to ERT, the release was approved with two basic conditions: prohibition on leaving the country and mandatory appearance every 15 days at the police station. The decision was made despite suspicions of murder, as crimes in Greece are statute-barred after 25 years.
As reported by Newsit.gr, Dalamágas will be released from Agios Stefanos prison, where he has been held until now. Australia continues to press for his extradition so that he can stand trial in Sydney, where the crime is alleged to have taken place 27 years ago.
The alleged murder occurred in 1999 at a casino in Sydney. The victim was fellow countryman Giorgos Giannópoulos. After the incident, the accused left Australia and settled in Aigion, remaining for a series of years on the country's wanted list, until his recent arrest in Greece.
The Patras Court of Appeals will examine the extradition request submitted by the Australian authorities, and its decision will determine whether the 56-year-old will be handed over to stand trial in Sydney or will remain in Greece.
Source: Newsit.gr