A Bangladesh court has sentenced British MP Tulip Siddiq to two years in prison after finding her guilty in a corruption case linked to land deals involving her aunt, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Siddiq — the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate — was convicted in absentia on Monday. The court ruled she used her political influence to secure plots of land for her mother, brother and sister. Her mother, Sheikh Rehana, received a seven-year sentence and was identified as the main beneficiary. None of the accused, including Hasina, Siddiq or Rehana, were present for the verdict.
The UK has no extradition treaty with Bangladesh, and Siddiq is unlikely to serve the jail term. The Labour Party dismissed the judgment, arguing she was denied a fair legal process.
Siddiq has rejected all allegations, saying the case relied on forged documents and that she was wrongly tried as a Bangladeshi citizen despite not holding a Bangladeshi passport since childhood. Prosecutors claimed she contacted senior officials in Hasina’s office to obtain the land, but no digital evidence was submitted.
Prominent British lawyers have also criticised the trial as “contrived and unfair”, saying defence lawyers were blocked from representing the accused.
The case comes amid a series of rapid corruption and human rights trials initiated after Hasina’s government collapsed in August 2024. The interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been under pressure to move quickly on cases linked to alleged abuses during Hasina’s 15-year rule. Hasina has remained in exile in India while facing multiple sentences, including a recent conviction for crimes against humanity.
Following Monday’s verdict, the Awami League described the anti-corruption trials as politically motivated. Siddiq said the ruling was “flawed and farcical”, adding she would continue focusing on her work as a UK MP.
A Labour spokesperson reiterated that Siddiq had not been given access to case details despite repeated requests by her legal team. However, Bangladeshi legal advisers maintain she was treated according to law and chose to boycott the proceedings. (Source: TheGuardian)
