Last May 31, 2019, 36- years old Filipino Henry John Serafica Acorda, died after sustaining serious head injuries inflicted by a heavy-built Slovakian brute named Juraj Hossu.
The beating incident happened during the early hours of May 26, 2019, after Henry and a Filipina friend came out of a pizza joint in a busy street of Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. It was then when Juraj H.came up to them and tried to force Henry’s female friend to ride with him in a taxi. Henry tried to reason with the Slovakian, but was cut short when the violent man immediately hit Henry.
As the Filipino was sprawled on the sidewalk, the Slovakian brute continued to kick and hit Hentry in the head, even as the latter was already unconscious. The incident was captured on tape by the CCTV of a nearby establishment.
Henry John was in Slovakia as a financial analyst working for a multinational company for more than a year. He was actually transferred to Slovakia from his original post in Malaysia. Henry’s mother and sister was supposed to visit Henry in the coming spring, but the tragedy marred the family’s planned reunion in Slovakia, Henry’s mother and sister did go to see Henry, but only to mourn and bring home his remains to the Philippines.
Henry John, is one of few Filipinos in Slovakia working as a professional, as many of the Filipinas who found work in the country are employed as domestic helpers. The Filipino community in Slovakia regard Henry as their hero, as he was always ready to help in time of need. Many of them recall how Henry had provided them assistance in renewing their working permit, to the point of keeping them company until the renewal process was completed. It is not surprising then that despite his small stature, Henry tried to protect a Filipina from the sexual advances of an irrational Slovakianl, who was more than twice Henry’s size.
Thousands of Slovakians March to Seek Justice for Henry John
Word came out that Juraj Hossu, Henry’s assailant, was released by the police immediately after the senseless killing. Hossu was re-arrested after an uproar from Slovakian citizens denounced the injustice, whilst condemning their countryman whom they suspect of being a racist.
Juraj Hossu’s Facebook account, as many had noted, had a post endorsing the “Ku Klux Klan outfit not bad” message. Another post, a Russian vodka bottle with a “white power’ caption, was also taken as a sign that Juraj Hossu believed in the “white supremacy” ideology.
Gov't: Slovakia promised justice after Filipino's mauling death
The government welcomes the assurance of Slovakia that justice will be secured for a Filipino worker who was slain there. | www.cnn.ph
Posted by CNN Philippines on Thursday, June 7, 2018
Four (4) Slovakian anti-fascist groups organized a rally that brought around 3,000 Slovaks to Henry John’s memorial day last June 06, 2019. Although Hossu was rearrested the day Henry John died, he is on trial for charges of manslaughter for which he may be sentenced to serve prison for a term ranging between 7 and 12 years. Some Slovaks carried signs imprinted with “Justice for Henry” and “Nazi brain burn in hell,”slogans.
According to the Accorda family, some Slovaks had approached them with offers of help and legal assistance, because they want to do something to make up for the grief caused them by their countryman. While still in Slovakia, the family is currently in talks with a lawyer who will help elevate the charges against Hosu to murder. That way, the brutal Slovakian will serve prison for a longer term.