Turkish Tourist Arrested in Albania Murder Probe

A Turkish tourist vacationing in Albania has been arrested and sent to prison as part of an investigation into the murder of a 20-year-old Portuguese tourist. Ezgi Parlak was detained in Ksamil following the death of Luis Miguel Varela Mendes, who was found stabbed to death.

The incident reportedly began with an argument at a nightclub on August 18, escalating into a fight on the beach. Police intervened to end the brawl, and Mendes's body was discovered about three hours later between sun loungers, with multiple stab wounds.

Following the murder, an investigation led to the arrest of 45 people, including two police officers accused of not intervening. Authorities identified the main suspect as Sokrat Vata, a 29-year-old British citizen living in Albania. Police located Vata traveling towards Tirana in a car, which they stopped on the highway.

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We believe she is innocent.

Inside the vehicle were Ezgi Parlak and Nuh Mahmutoğlu, another Turkish national described as a pirate taxi driver. Vata was found hiding in the car's trunk. He reportedly confessed to stabbing someone during the fight. Parlak, however, denied any involvement in the murder, claiming she had arranged to travel to Tirana with Mahmutoğlu and was unaware of Vata hiding in the trunk.

Sokrat Vata was arrested on murder charges. Ezgi Parlak and Nuh Mahmutoğlu were arrested for aiding and abetting the murder. Two police officers face charges of harboring a fugitive, and six others were arrested for complicity in the murder, bringing the total number of arrests to 11. Parlak's relatives stated she was on a five-day vacation and believe she is innocent.

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She had gone to Ksamil for a 5-day holiday.