Man Charged After Violence at Southampton Protest Over Student Murder

Violence erupted during protests in Southampton following the release of police bodycam footage showing the arrest of student Henry Nowak, who was later murdered. Ryan Atkinson, 36, has been charged with violent disorder in connection with the incidents that occurred on June 2.

The protests began as a demonstration at the city center police station before moving near the home of Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for Nowak's murder. During the unrest, 12 police officers and a police dog sustained injuries as protesters threw objects like wheelie bins and chairs.

Hampshire police confirmed that Atkinson's charge brings the total number of protesters charged to 22. The family of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old accountancy and finance student at the University of Southampton, has condemned the violent scenes. Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused.

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Nowak's family condemned the violent scenes in Southampton.