Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has received a two-year prison sentence in absentia from a Bangladeshi court on corruption charges, which she describes as “deeply unfair.” The court found her guilty of using her influence with her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to secure a plot of land for her family near Dhaka, a claim Siddiq denies. She is currently based in London and has stated she will not serve the sentence.
Siddiq has criticized the legal process as flawed, expressing confusion over the lack of direct communication from Bangladeshi authorities regarding the charges. “There’s been absolutely no summons sent to me,” she noted, asserting that she is easily accessible as a parliamentarian and has engaged legal representation both in the UK and Bangladesh.
The allegations against Siddiq arose amid broader legal actions taken against Hasina’s former government, particularly after Hasina’s regime was overturned. Siddiq claims to have learned about her conviction through media reports rather than direct correspondence from legal authorities.
Siddiq, the daughter of Hasina’s sister, faces multiple charges in Bangladesh, including ongoing trials and investigations related to the alleged transfer of property and embezzlement linked to a previous nuclear power plant deal. While Siddiq maintains her innocence, the Labour Party has stated it does not recognize the legitimacy of the judgment, citing concerns over the fairness of the legal process and lack of formal information provided to Siddiq.
The UK does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, and Siddiq was not obliged to return for the trial. This situation continues to draw attention from legal experts, who have expressed serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial proceedings.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj38xm5nmd7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss