Student's Death and Police Bodycam Footage Spark Outrage and Protests in UK
Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- 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.
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?
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.
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
Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.