A court in Bangladesh has handed British MP Tulip Siddiq a two-year prison sentence after ruling she was complicit in a series of corrupt land deals linked to her aunt, the country’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The decision, delivered on Monday, claimed Siddiq misused her “special influence” as a UK politician to pressure Hasina into allocating valuable plots of land to her mother, brother and sister.
Siddiq, who serves as Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, has strongly rejected the allegations. Her mother, Sheikh Rehana, was sentenced to seven years in prison and described as the central figure in the case. More than a dozen relatives of Hasina were also charged, but none of the accused were present in court when the verdict was read. The trial was carried out entirely in absentia.
No Extradition Path for the UK MP Despite Conviction
The UK has no extradition treaty with Bangladesh, making it extremely unlikely that Siddiq will ever serve the sentence. She has repeatedly insisted the case is politically driven and based on falsified evidence. Siddiq said prosecutors attempted to try her as a Bangladeshi citizen even though she said she has not held a Bangladeshi passport since childhood and has never paid taxes in the country.
Reacting to the ruling, Siddiq dismissed the process as a “kangaroo court”, telling the Guardian that the verdict “deserves contempt” and reiterating that she remains focused on serving her constituents in Hampstead and Highgate. She accused Bangladesh’s authorities of engaging in “dirty politics” amid a period of severe domestic upheaval.
Concerns Raised by Senior UK Legal Figures
Last week, a group of prominent British legal experts, including a former Conservative justice secretary, raised concerns with Bangladesh’s ambassador in London, calling the trial “artificial, contrived and unfair.” Due to the defendants’ absence, they were denied normal access to defence counsel, and one lawyer who attempted to represent Siddiq and others said she was threatened and placed under house arrest.
The conviction comes as Bangladesh continues to pursue former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Her 15-year rule was marked by accusations of authoritarianism, corruption and widespread human rights violations.
Wider Crackdown on Hasina and Her Inner Circle
Hasina was removed from power in August 2024 after months of violent anti-government protests. Since then, Bangladesh’s new authorities have launched several high-profile prosecutions. Last month, a special tribunal in Dhaka found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity over the killing of more than 1,000 protesters. She was also handed a 21-year prison sentence on corruption charges last week.
Hasina remains in exile in India, and New Delhi has yet to respond to Dhaka’s extradition requests.
During her aunt’s premiership, Siddiq was photographed with Hasina during private and public visits to Bangladesh. In January, Siddiq stepped down as a Treasury minister after allegations that she benefitted from properties linked to the Hasina regime. A subsequent inquiry cleared her of wrongdoing.
Growing Tensions Between Dhaka and Political Figures Abroad
The ruling against Siddiq is part of a broader pattern of prosecutions targeting Hasina’s family and international allies. Bangladesh’s interim authorities have vowed to dismantle networks linked to the former prime minister, who they accuse of embedding corruption across state institutions. European officials and human rights groups have increasingly criticised Dhaka’s judicial process, warning of politically motivated trials and due-process violations.
