Fraud charges over statue demo fundraisers

A WOMAN has been charged with fraud after police investigated a fundraising page attached to the Black Lives Matter demonstration that saw the statue of Edward Colston toppled in Bristol back in 2020, and a second one set up to help support the people arrested afterwards.

The lengthy investigation came after allegations were first made that money raised in a crowdfunding page connected to the demonstration in June 2020 had not ended up where the crowdfunding page said it would – with a St Paul’s-based youth work organisation called Changing Your Mindset.

More than a year ago, it was reported that an arrest had been made following allegations made by those running Changing Your Mindset.

Avon and Somerset Police have now confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges to be made against Xahra Saleem, who will be summoned to appear in court next year.

The 22-year-old has also been charged with a second count of the same offence, relating to a different fundraiser entitled Bristol

Protesters Legal Fees. It was set up in the aftermath of the toppling of the Colston statue to raise legal fees at a time when police were arresting people for their involvement.

A police spokesperson said: “A woman is due in court at the start of next year after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges following a fraud investigation.

“Xahra Saleem, 22 and from east London, has been charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position. She is due before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday January 3, 2023.”