Greek diplomat stabbed to death

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 1

Greek diplomat stabbed to death

NZPA Sydney The Greek Consul-General, described as a “gentle” 47-year-old bachelor, was found dead in his Sydney home yesterday, his hands and ankles tied with electric cord and a knife in his back. The murder had “certain” similarities to the stabbing killings of two homosexuals in Sydney last month, the police said. The detective who lead the investigation into those cases, Sergeant John McGre-

gor, is helping in the consulgeneral case. Detectives believed Mr Constantine. Giannaris, a balding and well dressed diplomat who lived alone, knew his 'killers. A maid found the body in the lounge room of his Darling Point home just before midday. His office in Pitt Street sent two consular officials to his home when he did not arrive at work. They got to the door about the same time as the maid.

The body was in the lounge. He had been gagged, his hands and ankles tied with electric cord, and stabbed in the neck and back with a 23cm knife. There was also a wound to the head. He was fully clothed. There was less blood from the knife gashes, indicating that the head wound could have been the killer blow. Mr Giannaris had been dead for more than 24 hours. A stereo system was missing but the house, in a quiet, dead-end street overlooking Sydney Harbour, was relatively undisturbed. Mr Giannaris was last seen on Saturday morning by a neighbour, detectives said. A woman . who said she was speaking for the Justice Commandoes of the Armenian Genocide later rang news media organisations to claim responsibility. The information officer at the consulate-general, Andreas Papageozgopoulos, said he doubted that the murder was politically motivated. “We can’t say anything at this stage. It’s too early.”