22.08.2026 10:50
In the investigation into the fatal stabbing of a Portuguese tourist in Albania's tourist area of Ksamil, 29-year-old Sokrat Vata, who was being sought, was caught in the trunk of a car containing two Turkish citizens. The two Turkish citizens in the vehicle were taken into custody and referred to court on charges of helping the suspect escape.
Sokrat Vata, a 29-year-old man wanted in connection with a murder investigation in Albania, was caught by police in the trunk of a car containing two Turkish citizens.
Vata, who is suspected of fleeing after a tourist was fatally stabbed in Ksamil, was found in the vehicle, and the two Turkish citizens in the car were also detained on suspicion of aiding the suspect.
The incident occurred at a beach bar in Ksamil, one of Albania's tourist areas. According to allegations, an argument that started after a young girl was harassed quickly escalated into a fight.
During the fight, Portuguese citizen Luis Miguel Varela Mendes was seriously wounded by knife blows. Despite medical intervention, Mendes lost his life.
As part of the police investigation, 29-year-old Sokrat Vata, who was stated to have been working as a security guard during the incident, began to be sought as one of the main suspects in the murder.
SUSPECT FOUND IN THE TRUNK OF A CAR
Police teams stopped a suspicious vehicle on the Fier-Levan road a few hours after the incident. During the check, it was reported that Sokrat Vata was found in the trunk section of the vehicle.
The two Turkish citizens found in the car were also taken into custody by the police. Authorities are focusing on the possibility that Vata was being taken to the capital, Tirana.
It was reported that the Turkish citizens were taken in for questioning to determine whether they had helped the murder suspect escape.
"WE TOOK HIM WITH US BECAUSE HE IS OUR FRIEND"
According to information in the press, the two Turkish citizens stated in their testimonies that they were regular customers of a beach bar named "Principotes" located in the area where the incident occurred.
It was reported that the Turkish citizens said they had befriended Vata, who worked as a security guard there, and received personal security services from him for a fee.
It was alleged that the suspects, in their statements to the police, claimed they took Vata into their vehicle not because they knew he had committed the murder, but because of their friendship.
It was noted that the two Turkish citizens gave statements along the lines of "He was our friend. We accompanied him due to our friendship."
TURKISH CITIZENS REFERRED TO COURT
Albanian authorities detained the two Turkish citizens on suspicion of "aiding the perpetrator of the crime." It was reported that the suspects were referred to court with a request for their arrest and trial.
It was stated that the investigation was not limited only to these individuals, and that 9 more people deemed to be connected to the incident were also taken into custody.