Arabic version: تحقيق الشرطة جارٍ بعد حادث طعن قاتل لطالب

Bodycam footage has revealed the tragic moments leading to the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a Southampton university student who was handcuffed while pleading for help after being stabbed. According to BBC News, Nowak repeatedly told officers, “I can’t breathe,” as he lay dying on the ground.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for stabbing Nowak with a 21cm (8in) blade he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith. Digwa falsely presented himself as the victim at the scene, alleging he had been attacked racially. The treatment of Nowak by police has been described by his family as “inhumane and degrading,” prompting an apology from the police force.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating the police response to the incident. Eyewitness accounts and bodycam footage indicate that officers dismissed Nowak’s pleas for medical assistance, with one officer questioning the validity of his claims.

Nowak’s father expressed his outrage, stating that his son told officers that he could not breathe nine times and did not die with dignity. Calls for a review of Digwa’s sentence have been made to the attorney general’s office, reflecting public concern over the perceived leniency of the punishment given the circumstances of the murder.

In response to the incident, local political leaders have voiced their condemnation. The Sikh community has also spoken out, expressing sorrow over the implications of the murder on their faith and community. Digwa’s family has issued an apology for the distress caused to the Nowak family and the Sikh community, emphasizing their desire for the tragedy not to incite further division.

The case has raised significant questions about police procedures and the treatment of victims in critical situations, prompting discussions on necessary reforms regarding the handling of bladed articles for religious purposes.