Principote Mykonos has categorically denied any connection—business or otherwise—with the beach bar in Albania where 20-year-old Portuguese tourist Luís Miguel Varela Mendes was fatally attacked during a violent altercation between patrons. In an official statement issued on August 21, 2026, the Mykonos-based venue clarified that the establishment involved in the incident—located in the coastal town of Himarë (often referred to as Examilí in Greek media)—was unlawfully using its brand name.
No Affiliation, Legal Action Underway
The Mykonos venue confirmed it has initiated legal proceedings against the Albanian operator for unauthorized use of the ‘Principote’ name. The statement emphasized that the Mykonos business bears no responsibility for the incident and stressed that the Albanian venue’s actions constitute unfair competition, exploiting Principote Mykonos’ international reputation built over years of delivering high-end hospitality services.
Details of the Incident
The tragedy unfolded at a beach bar named ‘Principotes’ in Himarë, where the young Portuguese tourist reportedly suffered fatal stab wounds and blunt-force trauma following a physical confrontation. According to Albanian media reports, the clash allegedly began after an incident involving harassment of a woman on the premises.
Albanian authorities have arrested 12 individuals so far, with two others still at large. Among those detained is a 24-year-old police officer accused of assisting the main suspect—29-year-old Sokrat Vata—in fleeing the scene immediately after the killing. Reports suggest the officer may have worked alongside Vata as security staff at the venue on the day of the incident.
Investigators have also placed the Albanian beach bar’s owner under scrutiny and reportedly issued a warrant for his arrest as part of the ongoing probe. A total of 41 people were initially summoned to the Sarandë police headquarters for questioning regarding the circumstances surrounding the murder.
Ongoing Investigation
Sokrat Vata remains the primary suspect in the fatal assault. The remaining arrests relate to various alleged roles in the incident, including participation in the brawl and obstruction of justice. Albanian authorities continue their investigation into the full chain of events that led to the death of the young tourist.