British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has condemned as “completely unacceptable” violent, racially charged demonstrations in Southampton over the case of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed by police as he lay dying after his killer falsely claimed to be a victim of a racist attack.
The riots on Tuesday were spurred by claims that the United Kingdom has “two-tier justice” that disadvantages white people. Nowak’s father, Mark, criticized the “inhumane and degrading” treatment of his son by police but urged that his death not be used to create further division.
Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old British Sikh, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday for murdering Nowak in December. Digwa stabbed the teen five times and then falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault. Police initially treated Nowak as a suspect and handcuffed him before noticing his injuries and attempting resuscitation.
Protesters pelted police with chairs, cans, rocks and flares late on Tuesday. Two people were arrested, and 11 officers and a police dog were injured. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “sickened” by bodycam footage of the incident and demanded answers about how “accusations of racism informed the decision-making in this case.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is reviewing the actions of officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. The National Police Chiefs’ Council also said it will review its antiracism guidance following the killing.
Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, called the case an example of “two-tier policing” and said, “White lives matter just as much as Black lives.” X owner Elon Musk and British far-right activist Tommy Robinson also expressed outrage and called for protests.
Some UK politicians have called for Sikhs to be banned from carrying ceremonial knives (kirpans). The judge noted Digwa had a small kirpan and an 8-inch Sikh dagger used as the murder weapon. Hampshire Police apologized and said one officer involved in the arrest had resigned, while three others are being treated as witnesses.
Source: www.aljazeera.com