From terror suspects to clothing designers: Aussies listed on Interpol’s red list revealed as James Dalamangas arrested
Greek authorities captured stabbing suspect James Dalamangas this week, ending his 27-year struggle to evade arrest.
The Australian, now 55, had been wanted since the fatal stabbing of Sydney man George Giannopoulous in a Belmore nightclub in 1999.
Earlier this week, Mr Dalamangas was arrested at a property in Aigialeia in central Greece, a result that went unnoticed for almost 30 years.
So which Australian was released abroad? So how can some people stay away from authorities for so long?
Xanthe Weston, associate professor of criminology at Central Queensland University, said Mr Dalamangas’ simple lifestyle may have helped him remain undetected for so long.
“We’re talking 27 years, so he obviously had to have a new identity and keep himself incredibly simple,” he said.
“It’s all about not drawing attention to yourself, finding a place to live and blending in with the locals in a way that doesn’t make you stand out.”
There are currently more than 3,000 names on Interpol’s red alert list; but only five of these are either Australian or have Down Under connections.
Dr Weston said this low proportion of Australians on the list was not surprising given how sparsely populated the country was and that it was more likely a place where people might choose to hide.
“It’s probably pretty easy to disappear in Australia if you find a country village to settle in,” he added.
“With the advancement of technology and social media, it’s probably getting a little harder for people to stay private these days.
“It’s hard to hide forever, but of course it can be done.”
The five wanted people on the list include terrorism suspects, fraud suspects and a man suspected of drug smuggling while he was a clothing designer.
Meliad Farah, 45, wanted for alleged involvement in terrorism
Sydney-born Meliad Farah is believed to be the Hezbollah operative responsible for the 2012 terrorist attack in Bulgaria. Credit: ProvidedMeliad Farah, born in Kogarah, has been wanted for more than a decade since a terrorist attack in Burgas, Bulgaria, in July 2012 that killed five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver.
The terrible incident was a suicide attack on a bus departing from Burgas Airport.
Farah, who will now be 45, is accused of playing a role in planning the brutality that also injured 32 civilians.
Bulgarian authorities, also using the name Hussein Hussein, published a photograph of the Australian in July 2013 with his accomplice, a Canadian named Hassan al-Haj.
Qui Shan Lian, 44, wanted for alleged drug trafficking
One of the most unusual names on the list is Melbourne clothing designer Qui Shan Lian.
He worked side by side with famous and glamorous names in his professional career.
But he now has a much lower profile, having been wanted on dubious drug charges since 2017.
Upon the request of Chinese authorities, a red notice was issued for him by Interpol.
He was 36 years old at the time the notice was published
Thi Hoa Trung Trinh, 56, was wanted for breach of trust in suitable property
Few details are available about Thi Hoa Trung Trinh, who was added to Interpol’s red notice list nearly four years ago.
Now 56, he is a Vietnamese national with known links to Australia.
He is described as being approximately 155cm tall, with black hair and dark eyes.
He is suspected of abuse of trust to seize property and is wanted by authorities in Vietnam.
55-year-old Abdulzagir Mecidov is wanted for attempted murder and preparation for a crime
Born in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, Mr Medjidov holds dual citizenship of Russia and Australia.
Now 55, he has been wanted for 13 years on an original arrest warrant issued in 2013.
He is wanted for attempted murder and preparation for a crime and speaks both English and Russian.
Thi Minh Phung Duong, 65, was wanted for fraud
Australian citizen Thi Ming Phung Duong has been on the run from authorities for more than a decade.
The woman, now 65, is wanted for fraud offenses (seizing property by fraud) and has been on the red notice list since 2011.
It is alleged that he carried out fraudulent activity in Vietnam, although details are scarce.
He was born in Vietnam but is listed as Australian by Interpol and speaks both English and Vietnamese.
