Arabic version: تسريب لقطات كاميرا الجسم لاعتقال هنري نوك يثير تدقيق الشرطة

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has raised significant concerns regarding police conduct following the release of bodycam footage related to the murder of Henry Nowak. The footage shows the 18-year-old Southampton university student being handcuffed and repeatedly stating, “I can’t breathe,” after being attacked by Vickrum Digwa, who was jailed on Monday for a minimum of 21 years for stabbing Nowak with a 21cm (8in) blade.

According to BBC News, the footage has led to public outcry and protests in Southampton, where several hundred people gathered, resulting in clashes with riot police. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the unrest, emphasizing that the Nowak family urged for unity rather than division in the wake of their loss.

Starmer described the footage as “harrowing” and insisted that questions about how accusations of racism influenced police decisions must be addressed. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the police’s actions, with a report expected in the coming months. Starmer did not dismiss the possibility of a broader inquiry depending on the IOPC’s findings.

Mahmood has also highlighted a concerning trend of threats against police officers, one of whom was forced to relocate after being wrongly identified online in connection with the case. She urged against politicizing the incident, while critics like Nigel Farage expressed outrage over perceived unequal treatment of Nowak compared to his assailant.

The police’s handling of the situation has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the treatment of Nowak during the critical moments following the stabbing. His father, Mark Nowak, expressed deep frustration, stating that his son did not receive the dignity he deserved in his final moments. The police have acknowledged the family’s concerns and have apologized for the handling of the incident. Meanwhile, the attorney general’s office is considering the jail sentence given to Vickrum Digwa after receiving “multiple requests” to review it under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.