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Student's Death and Police Bodycam Footage Spark Outrage and Protests in UK
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Slovakia /Crime & Justice

Student's Death and Police Bodycam Footage Spark Outrage and Protests in UK

From SME · () Slovak

Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Protesters in Southampton attacked police with projectiles during a demonstration against the murder of student Henry Nowak.
  • Outrage grew after bodycam footage showed police restraining Nowak, who was dying and repeatedly said he couldn't breathe, after the attacker falsely accused him of racism.
  • The incident has fueled political debate, with figures like Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage commenting on police conduct and alleged "two-tier" policing.

Protests erupted in Southampton, England, after bodycam footage emerged showing police restraining a dying 18-year-old student, Henry Nowak, while failing to provide immediate aid. The incident, which occurred after Nowak was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, escalated when protesters attacked police officers with stones and bottles during a demonstration.

I can't breathe.

โ€” Henry NowakThe student repeatedly told police he could not breathe while being restrained after being stabbed.

Bodycam footage revealed that police officers, responding to the stabbing, initially accepted the attacker Digwa's false claim that Nowak had racially abused him. Despite Nowak repeatedly stating, "I can't breathe," and indicating he had been stabbed, officers handcuffed him and questioned the severity of his injuries. Digwa later received a minimum 21-year prison sentence for the murder.

Did you get stabbed? Where?

โ€” Police OfficerA police officer questioned Nowak about his injuries while he was dying on the ground.

The case has ignited a fierce debate about policing and race in the UK. Right-wing activists, including Tommy Robinson, have used the incident to claim that white Britons are treated as "second-class citizens." Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the "appalling" footage and called for clarification on how racism accusations influenced police decisions. Opposition leader Nigel Farage criticized "two-tier" policing, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Farage of dividing society but also criticized perceived preferential treatment for ethnic minorities.

I don't think so, mate.

โ€” Police OfficerA police officer's dismissive response to Nowak's claim of being stabbed.

Digwa's family has apologized for the killing and the damage to the Sikh community's reputation. The attacker's mother faces charges for allegedly removing the murder weapon from the scene.

truly appalling

โ€” Keir StarmerThe British Prime Minister described the bodycam footage of the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.