A court in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has instructed authorities to approach Interpol for a red notice regarding British lawmaker Tulip Siddiq, who faces corruption charges tied to a private real estate project. Siddiq, a member of Parliament for Hampstead and Highgate in London and a former minister, has been implicated in cases pursued by Bangladesh’s Anti-corruption Commission.
Siddiq has already received a six-year prison sentence in the country related to three separate corruption cases, which involve her influential aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina, who ruled for 15 years, was ousted in 2024 during a student-led uprising, and she has since been living in exile in India.
Siddiq has consistently denied all allegations against her, criticizing the verdicts as a “complete farce” and asserting her status as a British citizen rather than a Bangladeshi national. The Anti-corruption Commission alleges that Siddiq leveraged her connections with Hasina to influence the award of land to a private firm in the upscale Gulshan area of Dhaka. Siddiq is the daughter of Sheikh Rehana, Hasina’s younger sister.
The petition for the red notice was presented by the commission’s Assistant Director, A K M Mortuza Ali Sagar, leading to the court’s order issued by Senior Special Judge Mohammed Sabbir Faiz. Siddiq did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the court’s decision. In January of the prior year, she resigned from her position as Minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that her connection to Hasina was becoming a distraction from government duties.
Why this story matters:
- It highlights significant legal and political implications concerning international relations and corruption.
Key takeaway:
- The court’s order reflects ongoing scrutiny of individuals with political ties in Bangladesh and their activities abroad.
Opposing viewpoint:
- Siddiq maintains her innocence, arguing that the charges against her are politically motivated and unjust.
