A tragic killing has shocked Ksamil, one of Albania's most popular tourist destinations, after 20-year-old French tourist Miguel Mendes was found dead at the Principotes complex.
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| Bekim Bulica (left), owner of the Principotes complex, and security guard Sokrat Vata (right), who was arrested following the death of French tourist Miguel Mendes in Ksamil. |
Vata was arrested several hours after the incident at a police checkpoint in Levan, after police allegedly discovered him hiding in the trunk of a vehicle while attempting to leave the area.
Miguel Mendes Found Dead at Principotes
The incident occurred during the early hours of the morning at the Principotes complex, located in the Ksamil area and frequented by tourists.
Mendes, who was visiting southern Albania with a group of French tourists, was found without signs of life on a sun lounger.
Preliminary reports indicate that the young French tourist had become involved in a confrontation with Sokrat Vata. The dispute is reportedly being investigated as possibly having been triggered by a disagreement involving a woman.
The exact circumstances leading to the fatal confrontation remain under investigation.
Sokrat Vata Arrested in Levan
After the incident, Vata allegedly fled Ksamil.
Police in Sarandë reportedly circulated information about his movements and alerted law enforcement agencies across southern Albania, amid concerns that he could attempt to travel toward Tirana or Has, his reported hometown.
Several police checkpoints were established on major roads.
During a police operation on the Levan highway, officers reportedly stopped a vehicle and discovered Vata allegedly hiding inside its trunk.
He was subsequently arrested and is expected to face the judicial process in connection with the death of Miguel Mendes.
Bekim Bulica's Name Returns to Attention
The case has also brought renewed attention to Bekim Bulica, who has been identified in media reports as the owner of the Principotes complex.
Bulica has previously been mentioned by French media in connection with investigations involving an alleged Albanian criminal network suspected of drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime.
According to reporting by Le Parisien, in 2025 eight people, including Albanian nationals and a French citizen, were charged in France as part of an investigation into alleged drug distribution.
Bulica was reportedly arrested in France in 2021 and subsequently extradited to Albania. His name has also previously appeared in reporting concerning an investigation into an alleged attempted murder.
Principotes & Tulum Resto Lounge
According to the reports cited, the Principotes & Tulum Resto Lounge, located opposite the Three Islands in Ksamil, has been mentioned as one of the businesses reportedly connected to Bulica's circle.
However, the mere mention of a person or business in connection with an investigation does not establish criminal responsibility.
No connection between Bulica or the Principotes complex and the killing of Miguel Mendes has been established by the information currently available.
Questions Over Security in Ksamil
The death of the young French tourist has raised renewed concerns about security in Ksamil, particularly during the peak summer tourism season when the area attracts thousands of visitors from Albania and abroad.
The killing occurred in a heavily frequented tourist location, making the case particularly alarming for visitors, local residents and businesses.
Investigators are continuing to reconstruct the events leading up to the confrontation and determine exactly what happened inside and outside the complex.
The investigation remains ongoing.
All allegations against Sokrat Vata and any other individuals mentioned in connection with criminal investigations remain subject to the presumption of innocence until established by a final court decision.