'I Can't Breathe': How An Indian Sikh Murder Accused Ignited Huge Knife Crime And Racism Debate In UK

The fatal stabbing last year in Britain of a teenager who was handcuffed by police while his killer stood nearby erupted into a debate on Tuesday about policing, race and knife crime. The killing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in December drew renewed attention after the accused killer, an Indian-origin Sikh, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years in prison on Monday, and following the release of a video showing police dismissing Nowak when he said that he had been stabbed.

The killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, who is Sikh, had reported to police that he was the victim of a racist attack by Nowak, who was white. Officers who arrived at the scene on a residential street in the southern England coastal city of Southampton appeared to take him at his word. But the court determined that Digwa had lied about being the victim of racism.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was sicken

The fatal stabbing last year in Britain of a teenager who was handcuffed by police while his killer stood nearby erupted into a debate on Tuesday about policing, race and knife crime. The killing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in December drew renewed attention after the accused killer, a Sikh, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years in prison on Monday, and following the release of a video showing police dismissing Nowak when he said that he had been stabbed.

The killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, who is Sikh, had reported to police that he was the victim of a racist attack by Nowak, who was white. Officers who arrived at the scene on a residential street in the southern England coastal city of Southampton appeared to take him at his word. But the court determined that Digwa had lied about being the victim of racism.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was sickened by the video and said there were questions to be answered about how accusations of racism informed the decision-making in this case." On Tuesday night, hundreds protested the arrest outside a Southampton police station, with some protesters shouting, I can't breathe. A large group then walked to an area near where Nowak was killed and clashed with riot police, who retreated as they were pelted with chairs, rocks and flares.

Victim complained he couldn't breathe as the police handcuffed him

In the video, Nowak is seen lying on his back, telling police he had been stabbed as they grabbed his wrists and tried to make him sit up. He repeatedly said he couldn't breathe. You've been stabbed? Whereabouts? an officer said in the video. Don't think you have, mate. After the sentencing hearing, the victim's father, Mark Nowak, said the case was not about racism or religion, and that he wanted his son's death to lead to safer streets and not to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.

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But Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, said on Tuesday that it was an example of so-called two-tier policing a popular far-right talking point that suggests ethnic minorities are better treated than white people. Farage urged people to respond to the incident with pure cold rage, and called for an end to anti-white prejudice" and the promotion of the idea that white lives matter just as much as Black lives.

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Killer was earlier barred from Gurudwaras

The Sikh community has told the BBC that Digwa had previously been "barred" from a Southampton gurdwara [Sikh temple] because of worries about his behaviour and actions. This happened "long before" he murdered Henry Nowak, community leaders said. Earlier, Sikh leaders posted on social media: "This incident as reported does not align with the Sikh faith, the Sikh community, or the principles it stands for. "Sikh teachings are founded on compassion, justice, humility, responsibility, and service to humanity."

(With inputs from agency)

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