A Bangladeshi court has delivered a guilty verdict against British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, sentencing her to two years in prison in absentia. The ruling comes after the country's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina was found guilty of corruption and other crimes by another Bangladeshi court just last week.
Siddiq, who had denied the charges, is accused of misusing her influence as a British politician to secure valuable pieces of land for her mother, brother, and sister. Her mother, Sheikh Rehana, was given seven years in prison as part of the verdict.
The trial took place in absentia due to Siddiq's absence from Bangladesh, with neither she nor Hasina being present in court. The UK does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, making it highly unlikely that Siddiq will serve her sentence.
Labour party officials and leading British lawyers have questioned the legitimacy of the trial, citing concerns over a lack of fair process and access to legal representation for Siddiq. In response, the Labour party stated that they do not recognize the corruption judgment against Siddiq due to her denied opportunity for a fair legal process.
Siddiq's lawyer has disputed allegations that she was prevented from participating in the proceedings or being subjected to house arrest, saying that these claims are "strongly contested" and that Siddiq had been afforded the opportunity to address the allegations.
Siddiq, who had denied the charges, is accused of misusing her influence as a British politician to secure valuable pieces of land for her mother, brother, and sister. Her mother, Sheikh Rehana, was given seven years in prison as part of the verdict.
The trial took place in absentia due to Siddiq's absence from Bangladesh, with neither she nor Hasina being present in court. The UK does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, making it highly unlikely that Siddiq will serve her sentence.
Labour party officials and leading British lawyers have questioned the legitimacy of the trial, citing concerns over a lack of fair process and access to legal representation for Siddiq. In response, the Labour party stated that they do not recognize the corruption judgment against Siddiq due to her denied opportunity for a fair legal process.
Siddiq's lawyer has disputed allegations that she was prevented from participating in the proceedings or being subjected to house arrest, saying that these claims are "strongly contested" and that Siddiq had been afforded the opportunity to address the allegations.
. I mean, it's clear that politics can be a dirty game, especially when you're dealing with corruption on such a massive scale. But what really gets my goat is how the Labour party is handling this situation 
. They need to step up and support their MP instead of just saying she doesn't recognize the judgment. It's not like they're taking her side or anything, but come on, they should at least acknowledge that something fishy went down in that trial.
". Not buying it.
Plus, what's up with the different verdicts for Hasina and Siddiq? It feels like a double standard to me...
. And her lawyer is saying that she was treated fairly throughout the whole process 
. Of course, everyone has different opinions on this one, but I think it's possible that the Bangladeshi court just didn't have all the facts straight 
. I'm not saying Siddiq is innocent or anything, but a guilty verdict without her being there to defend herself? That seems pretty unfair 
.
Two years in prison for a British MP? Yeah right, like that's gonna happen 
The UK's got its own corruption issues to deal with, let Bangladesh sort their own mess out 
what's going on here? are we talking about a total cover-up or something?
. I mean, it's all pretty shady if you ask me... The fact that her mom and sister were given prison sentences too is just wild 
. And let's be real, the Labour party is totally right to question the legitimacy of the trial - how can you have a fair process when you're not even allowing the accused to appear in court? 
.
THE UK IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND THE LAW IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT PROTECTING PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, NOT JUST TARGETING POLITICIANS WHO DARE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST CORRUPTION! 
. Two years in prison just doesn't seem like a fair punishment, you know? I mean, she's already being punished enough just by being accused of something she denies. And now the UK is saying they won't extradite her because of this treaty thingy... it's all so complicated 
. The whole situation just seems really unfair and unjust 
.
. Two years in prison? That's a pretty serious charge, but I think she's being set up. Labour party officials are right to question the legitimacy of the trial - how could they possibly expect her to get a fair hearing when she wasn't even there? And what about all these allegations of unfair process and lack of access to lawyers? It sounds like Bangladesh is trying to frame her. I mean, come on, if you're gonna accuse someone of corruption, at least give them a chance to defend themselves 
a british politician getting sent to prison in bangladesh... it's like she's lost her citizenship or something? 
It's just too convenient. And poor Tulip getting dragged through this mess without being able to even defend herself in person. Not exactly a fair trial if you ask me... 
! I mean, one day Hasina's corrupt trial comes out and everyone's like 'oh no', and then suddenly Siddiq's guilty verdict pops up? It's too convenient 
. But what really gets my goat is the whole 'she wasn't treated fairly' thing... didn't seem to give her a chance to defend herself, you know? 
22% of Bangladeshi courts found guilty politicians since 2013 
is kinda crazy! 7 years in prison for Sheikh Rehana? 
That's like, a lot of time! And what about Tulip Siddiq? 
. The Labour party's stance on this makes sense though 
. now it looks like she's being punished for something that's not even clear if she did or didn't do... feels so unfair 
. and what about the lack of access to a fair trial? doesn't seem right that she couldn't get proper representation in court 
. And what's with the UK not having an extradition treaty with Bangladesh? Isn't that just gonna let her walk free? 