'I can't breathe': Protesters attack police at UK rally over student murder
France 24 • • general
Key Points:
- Body camera footage showing 18-year-old Henry Nowak, fatally stabbed and handcuffed by British police despite his pleas of "I can't breathe," has sparked public outrage and protests in Southampton.
- Far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson, have used the case to claim police discrimination against white British citizens, leading to clashes between protesters and police in the city.
- The killer, Vickrum Digwa, was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison for the stabbing, with evidence showing police initially believed Digwa's false claim that Nowak was the aggressor.
- The police force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the footage "harrowing" and emphasizing the need for accountability.
- Political leaders are divided, with calls for changes to police diversity policies and warnings against exploiting the tragedy for political gain, while Elon Musk offered to fund a private prosecution against the police over their handling of the case.