Birmingham Solicitor Akhmed Yakoob Arrested on Racial Abuse Suspicion

Birmingham solicitor & failed parliamentary candidate Akhmed Yakoob investigated over alleged racist abuse at pro-Iran protest as prosecutors weigh next move, while multimillion pound money laundering trial looms for the Tiktoker and former mayoral candidate.

A Birmingham solicitor and former political candidate could face further criminal charges following his arrest on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, adding to an already significant legal burden as he awaits trial in a separate money laundering case.

Akhmed Yakoob, 38, was arrested by West Midlands Police at around 6pm on Hospital Street in the Newtown area of Birmingham on Thursday. The arrest relates to an alleged incident at a demonstration on 10 March, where he is suspected of racially abusing a police officer.

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He was later released on bail while enquiries continue, with investigators preparing a file of evidence for consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service. No charging decision has yet been made.

In a statement, West Midlands Police said: “Last night we arrested a man on suspicion of racially abusing one of our police officers at a demonstration in Birmingham on 10 March. The 38-year-old has since been bailed while the investigation continues.”

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The force also emphasised that the arrest is unrelated to a separate investigation into the burning of an Israeli flag at a protest on the same street on 5 March, for which enquiries remain ongoing in consultation with prosecutors.

While no charge has been authorised at this stage, the offence under investigation carries potential criminal liability, and the case now turns on whether the evidential and public interest tests required for prosecution are met. Charging decisions in such cases are routinely made after a full review of evidence, including officer accounts, video footage, and any available recordings from the scene.

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The latest development places Yakoob at risk of facing concurrent criminal proceedings, with the new allegation emerging as he awaits trial in a separate prosecution brought by the National Crime Agency.

He is due to stand trial in 2027 accused of assisting organised criminals to launder millions of pounds between February 2020 and January 2021. He denies three charges: money laundering, encouraging money laundering, and failing to carry out mandatory due diligence checks when forming a business relationship.

Prosecutors allege he helped individuals “who wanted help to launder cash of millions of pounds”. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Yakoob has rejected the allegations and suggested the prosecution is politically motivated. He has stated: “I will fight these charges in court like I fight other injustices all over the world, and in the UK,” adding: “The NCA will be exposed.”

Separately, he has been involved in a series of controversies which have attracted regulatory and media scrutiny. He remains under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority over the publication of a doctored video which falsely accused a teacher of using racist language, a matter later resolved by financial settlement after police confirmed no offence had occurred.

He also apologised in 2024 following criticism over comments made during a podcast appearance relating to domestic violence.

More recently, he has faced criticism over remarks made during a filmed political engagement. In footage broadcast by Sky News, he was heard telling voters: “The thing is, the Zionists control everything. That’s what happens, they try to silence us.” When challenged, he indicated he did not consider the comments to be antisemitic.

In separate online content, he has also stated: “Zionism has a goal to divide people of all faiths… and eventually rule everything,” and has previously referred to “elites” exerting control. He has consistently denied that his comments are antisemitic.

Yakoob first came to prominence during the 2024 election cycle, standing as an independent candidate in both the West Midlands mayoral election and the Birmingham Ladywood parliamentary contest, where he reduced the majority of Shabana Mahmood to 3,421 votes.

Earlier in 2025, he was arrested and questioned by counter-terrorism police in relation to his political views and activities, before being released without charge.

The latest case remains under active investigation, with a decision on whether to bring charges expected following consultation between police and prosecutors.