The $30 million question: What led to the Henry Nowak protests?

The protests in Southampton over the handling of Henry Nowak's case have drawn international attention and an official investigation. demonstrators gathered outside a police station to protest the release of bodycam footage showing officers handcuffing the dying 18-year-old student.

Accusations of 'two-tier policing' have sparked unrest, with previous demonstrations turning violent and leading to 14 arrests. The case has drawn international attention and an official police investigation.

According to the Mail, Paul, 62, from Southampton, joined the protest to 'stand and be counted'. He told the Mail: 'If the cards had been flipped, the world would be on fire like with BLM. There's a two-tier system, and people are just afraid to talk about it nowadays.'

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The protests follow the release of bodycam footage shoiwng officers handcuffing Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa with a ceremonial religious sword. The footage has attracted international attention, with the US State Department commenting on the case and calling for what it described as 'two-tiered policing' to be rejected in western countries.

A makeshift memorial has been set up outside the police station,with signs reading 'End two-tier policing, end two-tier justice' and 'Never forget Henry Nowak' alongside bouquets of flowers and pictures of Henry.

The crowd on Sunday evening waved St George's crosses and Union Jacks, as well as placards bearing messages such as 'Justice for Henry'. Some of the group addressed speeches to the crowd, in which they accused the police of treating people differently based on ethnicity and religion.

One said: 'There's only one law in this land, only one standard. The police answer to the people. Release the transcript, release the evidence. Stop taking us for fools!'

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The unrest came in response to the release of footage from a police bodycam that showed officers handcuffing Henry and reading his rights as he tried to tell them he had been stabbed. The arresting officer was heard to say 'I don't think you have, mate,' while turning Henry onto his side.

Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years for murdering Henry. He had falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack and that he had acted in self-defence.

In reality, he stabbed the first-year student five times with a 21cm blade linked to his Sikh faith after an altercation in the street.

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The case has since become the focus of a political row, with Sir Keir Starmer urging politicians to respect the wishes of the teenager's family and not use the tragedy to inflame tensions.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police is now the subject of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), while Chief Constable Alexis Boon has publicly apologised to Henry's family.

The release of CCTV and body-worn camera footage has attracted international attention, with the US State Department commenting on the case and calling for what it described as 'two-tiered policing' to be rejected in western countries.