Bakari Henderson flew to Greece in 2017 to take pictures for his clothing line. What was supposed to be a fun work trip, turned into a fight for his life… literally.
Bakari’s parents are back in Greece hoping that they are able to get justice for their son. Nine men were involved in beating him to death, however, not one of the alleged perpetrators was convicted of murder. Bakari was outside of a bar in Lagana resort on the Greek island of Zakynthos in July 2017, when a waitress asked him for a selfie. She told police, one of the nine Serbian men approached her and said, “There are a lot of Serbs in the bar. Why are you talking to a Black guy?”
A video was released on the beating, showing in graphic details the last moments of the Bakari Henderson’s life. The man who asked the woman about “talking to a Black guy,” punches Henderson in the face. Bakari did not automatically retaliate, but after he does fight back, he flees. The rowdy thugs then run after him and slam him on a parked car and continue the assault as he falls on the ground. He was only alive for 30 seconds after hitting the ground.
We do have the video of the altercation. Warning, it may cause triggers.
Nine people were arrested: one Greek citizen, a British man of Serbian origins and seven other Serbs. The Greek police released three of the men days after the killing, leaving five, ranging in age from 18 to 34 years old, in custody.
Six of the nine men, originally charged with intentional homicide, which carries a life sentence in the country, were convicted of the lesser charge of assault. The British citizen was sentenced up to 15 years in prison, the harshest punishment of them all “for causing grievous bodily harm.”
One of the Serbs was sentenced to 10 years. Three of the Serbs were sentenced to seven years and the remaining received five years.
Bakari’s parents did an interview with Gayle King speaking about the death of their son. “I would say the hardest thing has been feeling like I’m not always doing the best that I can by my other two children … because I spend so much time focused on Bakari, and the retrial, and just trying to keep his legacy alive because I miss him so much.
His parents are going back to Greece for the fifth time now. They still have not unpacked Bakari’s luggage. His mom says, “I just truly hope this time that they really view Bakari as a child of God and the human that he is … as someone that could be their brother, their son, their grandson, their nephew, their friend,” the mother stated. “I really want them to be able to understand that when they’re doing the sentencing this time.”
WebCelebDaily will keep you updated as the new trial unfolds. We truly hope there is justice for Bakari Henderson.
