Trial date set for Black Lives Matter organiser accused of transferring money to personal account

The organiser of a Black Lives Matter fundraiser has pleaded not guilty to fraud and using her position within the organisation to transfer money to her personal bank account.

Xahra Saleem, 22, faces two counts of fraud and is alleged to have transferred money from accounts belonging to both Changing Your Mindset Ltd and ABL Bristol to her personal accounts. Both organisations held two online fundraisers, one of which was set up prior to the All Black Lives protest on June 7, 2020, which saw the statue of Edward Colston toppled. The second was created after the protest in order to raise money for those arrested by police.

The first count, relating to Changing Your Mindset Ltd, is alleged to have taken place on June 24, 2020. The second offence is alleged to have taken place five days later on June 29.

Today (January 30), Xahra Saleem, of Briars Walk in Romford, appeared at Bristol Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to both charges. A four-day trial will be held on December 11. A case management hearing is due beforehand, on June 11. Saleem has been granted unconditional bail.