Black Lives Matter Fraudster Ordered to Repay Mere £1 After Embezzling £70,000

Xahra Saleem, who organized the Black Lives Matter protests in Bristol resulting in the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in 2020, has been implicated in a financial scandal.

Saleem was found guilty of embezzling £70,000 and fundraising for the youth group Changing Your Mindset based in St Paul.

Despite the substantial sum misappropriated, Saleem has been ordered by Bristol Crown Court to repay a nominal amount of £1, reflecting her current financial status described as “penniless.”

The court proceedings revealed that Saleem, 23, initially received £30,653 as part of the fraudulent scheme. This money originated from 588 individual donations worldwide, amounting to £32,344 via a GoFundMe page intended for the youth group.

However, Saleem diverted a staggering £44,815 for personal “lifestyle” expenditures, including significant sums splurged on Ubers, takeaways, and clothing, leaving the intended beneficiaries empty-handed.

Detective Constable Anthony Davis expressed dismay at Saleem’s actions, highlighting the significant impact on the charity and the individuals who supported it.

He emphasized that Saleem’s fraudulent activities had placed blameless individuals in distressing circumstances, needing to address the aftermath of the fraud.

The court’s decision to only order Saleem to repay £1 reflects a consideration of her current financial standing. However, authorities have not ruled out pursuing further confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act if Saleem gains assets in the future.

During the legal proceedings, Saleem faced initial fraud charges related to two fundraising pages.

One of these pages, “Bristol Protesters Legal Fees,” was established following the statue toppling incident but was later discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.

In delivering the sentencing, Judge Michael Longman admonished Saleem for abusing her position as the director of Changing Your Mindset.

He emphasized that her misuse of funds, intended to support disadvantaged young people, for personal gain reflected a severe breach of trust and responsibility.

Judge Longman pointed out Saleem’s elevated public profile due to her involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting the irony of using this platform for noble causes while engaging in fraudulent activities that directly undermined those very causes.

He underscored the severity of Saleem’s actions, noting the detrimental impact on the charity’s beneficiaries and the community.