Tulip Siddiq, a Labour MP and former minister, has been sentenced to two years in prison in Bangladesh after being tried in her absence alongside 16 others on corruption charges. The accusations include claims that Siddiq influenced her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, to secure land for her family near Dhaka—a charge she firmly denies. Based in London, Siddiq has rejected the allegations and, according to her, is unlikely to serve the sentence.
Siddiq, who represents Hampstead and Highgate, faces other unresolved charges in Bangladesh stemming from legal actions taken against former leaders and their associates since Hasina’s regime was overthrown. The current trial has been ongoing since August, where court documents allege she misused her influence to obtain land for her family.
A prosecutor from Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) stated that Siddiq was tried as a Bangladeshi citizen, citing possession of her Bangladeshi passport and ID. However, her legal team contends that she lacks formal identification and has not held a passport since childhood. The sentence, issued by Judge Rabiul Alam, includes a fine of 100,000 Bangladeshi Taka (approximately $821), with an additional six months added to the prison term if the fine is unpaid.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Chief Secretary commented that the trial was a personal issue for Siddiq, emphasizing that she hadn’t participated in it. Concerns regarding trial fairness have raised questions about legal representation, as highlighted by a letter from prominent UK lawyers to Bangladesh’s representative.
Parallel investigations involve Siddiq’s family in relation to various corruption allegations. These include claims connected to a previous nuclear power deal and a land transaction involving Hasina. Bangladesh’s officials estimate substantial corruption during Hasina’s tenure, leading to widespread scrutiny of legal procedures surrounding these cases. Notably, the UK does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, complicating any potential legal actions against Siddiq in the UK.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g9dyd84lwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss