Tulip Siddiq Condemns 'Unfair' Jail Sentence in Bangladesh

Fri Dec 05 2025 16:25:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Labour MP Tulip Siddiq describes her recent two-year prison sentence in Bangladesh as profoundly unjust, emphasizing her absence during the trial and what she termed 'trial by media'. The case stems from alleged influences related to her aunt, the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Tulip Siddiq, the Labour MP, labeled her two-year prison sentence handed down by a Bangladeshi court as 'deeply unfair', claiming she had no opportunity to defend herself amid allegations of corruption. The case revolves around accusations of her influencing her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, for family land benefits, which Siddiq strongly denies. She has expressed frustration over not being notified of proceedings and believes the entire process has been flawed and unjust. The UK Labour Party has also rejected the legitimacy of the trial, stating issues surrounding legal representation and notification.

Labour MP and former minister Tulip Siddiq has described her two-year prison sentence in Bangladesh as 'deeply unfair' after a court convicted her in her absence on corruption charges.

She was found guilty of influencing her aunt, Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to secure a plot of land for her family in the outskirts of the capital Dhaka, a claim she strongly denies.

Siddiq, who is based in London and has rejected the charges, is unlikely to serve the jail term. The Labour MP stated the process had been 'flawed and farcical from the beginning to the end'.

'I'm absolutely baffled by the whole thing - I've still had no contact whatsoever from the Bangladeshi authorities despite them spreading malicious allegations about me for a year-and-a-half now,' she said.

'There's been absolutely no summons sent to me, there's no charge sheet, I've had no correspondence from them - I'm not difficult to find, I'm a parliamentarian.'

She said she had engaged lawyers in the UK and Bangladesh and added, 'I feel like I'm in some sort of Kafkaesque nightmare.' Siddiq stressed, 'This is trial by media, which is deeply unfair.'

The former leader’s regime, which was overthrown, has led to numerous legal actions against her and past associates. Siddiq’s trial began in August and involves allegations that she used her influence for family benefits.

Her lawyers have stated she is not a Bangladeshi citizen and have contested the legitimacy of the trial process.

Siddiq received a two-year prison sentence and a 100,000 Bangladeshi Taka fine, with further penalties if she fails to pay. The verdict was dismissed by a Labour spokesperson who emphasized the lack of a fair legal process in Siddiq's case.