London, December 02, 2025
UK Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq has been sentenced in absentia by a Bangladesh court to two years in prison and fined approximately £620 for corruption allegations related to land acquisition. The verdict emerges amid accusations linked to her familial ties with former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh Court Verdict and Charges
On December 1, 2025, Bangladeshi judicial authorities convicted Siddiq of illegally obtaining a plot of land in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone, issuing a two-year imprisonment sentence alongside a fine of 100,000 Bangladeshi Taka. She was tried on August 11, 2025, together with 26 others, accused of leveraging political influence during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure to secure the property. An arrest warrant was initially issued for Siddiq in April 2025 as part of a broader crackdown on alleged corruption within the former administration.
Details and Nature of the Allegations
The charges accuse Siddiq of exploiting her familial connections—her aunt being Sheikh Hasina—to receive the property unlawfully, a claim situated within wider governmental efforts to address alleged corrupt practices during that premiership. The case attracted significant international attention due to Siddiq’s dual role as a UK politician and her family’s high-profile status in Bangladesh.
Siddiq’s Response and Official Reactions
Siddiq has unequivocally rejected the conviction, describing the trial as politically motivated and lacking due process. Notably, she highlighted she was never formally summoned nor charged by Bangladeshi authorities. In her formal statement, she labeled the verdict a “kangaroo court” decision and urged it to be disregarded.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally accepted Siddiq’s resignation from her ministerial post in January 2025, citing the absence of any evidence of financial misconduct under UK investigations. The Labour Party, meanwhile, has declared it will neither recognize the foreign ruling nor impose disciplinary measures against Siddiq based on this conviction.
Legal Implications and Extradition Challenges
Due to the absence of an extradition treaty between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, it remains highly unlikely that Siddiq will be compelled to serve the prison sentence or fines imposed by the Bangladeshi judiciary. Siddiq continues her political and personal activities within London, despite ongoing investigations suggesting the possibility of further charges by Bangladeshi authorities.
Political and Diplomatic Considerations
This case underscores the complex interplay of international law, diplomacy, and political accountability, particularly when involving figures whose roles span multiple jurisdictions. Siddiq’s conviction may have repercussions on her political standing, though current UK positions suggest significant support in dismissing the foreign court’s judgment.
As developments continue, the case raises critical questions regarding cross-border legal enforcement, political influence, and the mechanisms through which democratic societies address allegations against their representatives.