Poland’s NASK research center has warned that platform X facilitates the spread of dangerous disinformation, after an AI-fueled smear campaign falsely identified two former officers in a high-profile murder case.
The Murder of Henry Nowak
Henry Nowak died in Southampton between December 3 and 4, 2025, after being wounded by Vickrum Digwa. Prosecutors stated the perpetrator carried two blades, including a small kirpan and a large Sikh dagger, the latter of which was allegedly used in the fatal attack.
The Sikh Federation and the Network of Sikh Organisations rejected claims that a kirpan was the murder weapon. They identified the tool as a “Pesh-kabz,” a Persian blade, and argued that political attempts to ban the kirpan are fueled by rising racism rather than the facts of the crime.
Systemic Failures and False Accusations
Following the attack, Digwa falsely accused Nowak of a racist assault. Police officers ignored the wounded 18-year-old’s pleas that he had been stabbed, and he died shortly thereafter. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment on June 1, with a minimum term of 21 years.
Following the release of bodycam footage on June 2, online users incorrectly identified two individuals, Tristan Parsons and Christi Hill, as the officers involved in the arrest. Hill, who had left the Hampshire police force in April 2024, was forced to flee her home due to safety threats caused by the viral misinformation.
AI and the Role of Platform X
The AI chatbot Grok, owned by platform X, allegedly confirmed the false identities of the officers to users. NASK noted that Grok, which is trained on X user data, frequently produces controversial and biased content that polarizes public opinion.
Elon Musk further fueled the controversy by posting a message on X targeting Tristan Parsons, despite evidence confirming that Parsons was in the United States at the time of the incident and did not return to England until three days after Nowak’s death.
NASK’s Warning on Disinformation
NASK describes X as an “incubator of misinformation” due to its design, lack of moderation, and the brevity of posts which prioritize emotional impact over accuracy. The Hampshire Police Federation has condemned the online vigilantism, confirming that those wrongly accused have been subjected to death threats.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating the actions of the officers involved in the arrest. A coroner’s inquest into potential police errors is scheduled to begin in September.
