The rally for Henry Nowak in Southampton was accompanied by a fierce clash with the police. Eleven police officers are injured and the case opens a serious debate about racism.
Eleven police officers were injured and two people were detained in the southern English city of Southampton at a rally against the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. This was stated by the local police on Wednesday, according to reports from the BBC and the PAP agency, writes TASR.
- Eleven police officers were injured during protests in Southampton.
- The protests were related to the murder of student Henry Nowak.
- The perpetrator, Digwa, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison.
- At first, the police mistakenly handcuffed and charged Nowak.
- The case opened up a debate about police procedures and racism.
Public outrage was sparked by police body camera footage of the dying Nowak, who was handcuffed by British police in December 2025 after being stabbed by 23-year-old Sikh man Vickrum Digwa and then falsely accused of being the attacker.
Digwa lied to the police when he claimed that Nowak had racially abused him and that he himself was the victim. Nowak, who according to the PAP agency is of Polish origin, was heard repeatedly telling police officers “I can’t breathe” in the released footage. Digwa was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison on Monday. The prosecutor’s office is considering filing an appeal, as the sentence is too light, according to it.
The case sparked a debate
Hampshire Constabulary Chief Constable Alexis Boon said the riots had seen attacks on officers using improvised weapons and damage to homes and vehicles. He added that 11 police officers and one police dog were injured.
The conduct of the police officers involved in the Nowak incident was referred to the Independent Police Oversight Office (IOPC). The case has sparked debate about policing standards in Britain, including concerns that fear of accusations of racism may have influenced officers’ actions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday there were serious questions about how allegations of racism had influenced police decision-making. Although, according to him, it is necessary to comprehensively investigate the circumstances of this case, he called the violence against police officers during these protests shameful and unacceptable.
