03.06.2026 23:31
In the UK, a court released police body camera footage from last December related to the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. The footage shows officers disbelieving the young man, who was severely injured in a knife attack and crying out in pain on the ground, "I can't breathe," as they handcuff and drag him. The scandalous intervention by police, who believed the killer's lie that "I was attacked by racists" and took the seriously injured young man into custody, sparked outrage across the country.
A court in the UK has released police body camera footage related to the murder of Henry Nowak, which took place last December.
HANDCUFFS ON A DYING YOUNG MAN The footage shows 18-year-old university student Nowak being handcuffed by police called after a knife attack, while he was severely injured. It emerged that the attacker, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who follows the Sikh faith, made a false statement to police claiming he was the victim of a "racist" attack by Nowak.
POLICE DID NOT BELIEVE HE WAS STABBED According to the body camera footage, police arriving at the scene after a report first spoke to the attacker Digwa, who claimed his turban was removed and he was injured in the eye, alleging he was the victim of a "racist" attack by Nowak. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Nowak, lying on the ground, said "I've been stabbed. I can't breathe," to which an officer replied "I don't think so, mate." Nowak is heard repeatedly saying "I can't breathe" while being handcuffed. The officers dragged and handcuffed the severely injured Nowak, telling him he was under arrest for assault. Later, CPR was performed on Nowak in the ambulance called, but the university student died from his injuries.
Henry Nowak SPARKED OUTRAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY Attacker Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday after appearing in court for stabbing Nowak with a 21-centimeter knife, which he said he carried due to his Sikh faith. Following the release of the footage, the police's handling of the situation drew widespread criticism across the UK. Clashes broke out between police and protesters at demonstrations that began in Southampton on Tuesday evening.
SUCCESSIVE STATEMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND POLICE UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also stated in an evening speech that "there are serious questions the police need to answer." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in her statement, emphasized that everyone is equal before the law and called for awaiting the outcome of the investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into how Nowak's murder was handled. Regarding the protests, Mahmood described the throwing of objects at police as "shameful" and said those responsible would face the full force of the law, adding "There can be no justification for using this tragedy to fuel violence and disorder."
Keir Starmer In a statement from Hampshire Police, an apology was issued for the incident, noting that one of the officers who carried out the arrest has resigned, while the other three are witnesses in the investigation and continue their duties.
Vickrum Digwa "HE TOLD THE OFFICERS 9 TIMES HE COULDN'T BREATHE, 4 TIMES THAT HE WAS STABBED" Henry Nowak's family, in their statement, described the treatment by police as "inhumane and degrading." Father Mark Nowak said, "Henry told the officers nine times he couldn't breathe, four times that he was stabbed. Henry was dragged over gravel, his hands were forcibly tied behind his back, and he was handcuffed."