Saranda police have found and seized the knife used to kill 21-year-old Portuguese national Luis Miguel Varela Mendes at the Principotes hotel.
Të lidhura
None found
The murder weapon, which is suspected to have been used by Sokrat Vata, has now been seized by officers as material evidence.
Two days ago, the Saranda Court ordered 29-year-old Vata to remain in custody.
The August 18 Incident
The fight in Ksamil that claimed the life of Portuguese tourist Luis Miguel Varela Mendez lasted just six minutes. Security cameras recorded the entire sequence of events on August 18. Initially, several tourists are seen leaving the Principotes establishment, while Sokrat Lipan, alias Vata, and David Heurtevent approach shortly afterward.
The altercation begins with a shove and escalates into physical violence. Sokrat Vata is seen chasing and striking one of the people, while Luis Mendes then becomes involved in the confrontation and pushes 29-year-old Vata. The fight continues among several people, while Mendes hurriedly moves away and enters the sea.
Shortly afterward, he emerges from the water with his shirt covered in blood and heads toward the sun loungers. The footage also shows other clashes and people leaving the scene.
At 05:20:28, Sokrat leaves toward Principotes, accompanied by a waiter. According to the camera timeline, the entire incident unfolded within just six minutes, while investigations continue to determine responsibility for the Portuguese tourist’s death.
Timeline
At 05:14:24 on 18.08.2026, several people are seen leaving the Principodes establishment and standing by the entrance to the outdoor area of the Paradise venue. Among them are Ibrahim Lemoie, Sudae Akmahmat, Florian Cetina and Luis Mendes, who is wearing a white T-shirt with black writing on the back.
At 05:15:22 on 18.08.2026, two people are seen approaching from the parking area on the southern side of Principotes: Davit Heuertvent in front and Sokrat Lipan (Vata), who is wearing a white shirt. They approach the area where the foreign nationals are standing.
At 05:16:39, Sokrat Lipan (Vata) is seen shoving a person wearing a white T-shirt. Sokrat then moves away and heads toward the sun loungers.
At 05:16:47, Sokrat Lipan follows one of the people, who is dressed in white, toward the parking area.
At 05:16:54, Sokrat Lipan (Vata) is seen running toward Ibrahim Lemoie, who crashes into the sun loungers and falls to the ground, after which Sokrat strikes him.
At 05:17:14, Luis Mendes approaches and body-checks Sokrat Lipan, causing him to fall to the ground. Sokrat Lipan (Vata) gets back up, approaches Luis Mendes and begins striking him.
At 05:17:20, Davit Heuertvent, wearing shorts and what appears to be a dark-colored shirt, and Sokrat Lipan (Vata) strike Luis Mendes. During this time, Sudae Akhmat arrives to help his friend Luis Mendes and strikes Sokrat Lipan.
Between 05:17:35 and 05:17:46, Serxhi Selimi punches French national Ibrahim Lemoie. Meanwhile, Luis Mendes, trying to escape the blows he is receiving from Sokrat Lipan and David Heurtevent, hurriedly moves away and enters the sea.
At 05:17:53, Luis Mendes approaches from the southern side of the beach, where the waiters are located, and is punched by Serxhi Ademi before being pushed into the sea.
At 05:18:04, Luis Mendes emerges from the water and walks toward the sun loungers at Paradise beach, where his white T-shirt can be seen covered in blood.
At 05:18:24, David Heuertvent is seen leaving toward the indoor area of Principotes. Blood can be seen on the front of his clothes, and he is wiping himself off.
At 05:20:28, Sokrat Lipan, alias Vata, leaves with his white shirt covered in blood. Behind him is waiter Igli Cekani, who accompanies him toward the Principotes establishment.
People Involved
1. Sokrat Lipan, alias Sokrat Vata – suspected perpetrator of the crime, arrested.
2. Nuh Mahmutoglu – Turkish national, arrested; suspected of helping the perpetrator attempt to escape.
3. Ezgi Perlak – Turkish national, arrested; suspected of helping the perpetrator attempt to escape.
4. Serxhi Selimi – waiter at the establishment.
5. Ervis Bunci – waiter at the establishment.
6. Ildi Cekani – waiter at the establishment.
7. Murat Zhabina – waiter at the establishment.
8. Miosid Matushaj – police officer in Gjirokastër; arrested.
9. Luciano Seferi – employee of the Prison Police in Fier; arrested.
10. Romeo Shehu – municipal police officer in Gjirokastër; arrested and suspended from duty.
11. Kristi Koshi – arrested.
12. David Heurtevent – customer at the establishment, wanted as an accomplice in the crime.
13. Bekim Bulica – owner of the establishment, wanted for concealing the crime.
