A court in Bangladesh has sentenced British MP and former minister Tulip Siddiq to two years in prison in a corruption case concerning the alleged illegal allocation of a land plot, according to local media reports. The verdict was delivered in absentia, as Siddiq, her aunt and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana—all co-accused—were not present in court. Hasina received a five-year sentence, while Rehana was handed seven years.

Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 amid an uprising against her government, was sentenced to death last month over her administration’s violent crackdown on protesters. In addition, she received a combined 21-year prison sentence in other corruption cases. Prosecutors stated that the 13,610 sq ft land plot was allocated illegally through political influence and collusion with senior officials, accusing Siddiq, Hasina, and Rehana of abusing their authority during Hasina’s tenure as prime minister. Most of the 17 defendants were absent when the judgments were pronounced.

Siddiq resigned in January from her position as the UK minister responsible for financial services and anti-corruption initiatives, following scrutiny over her financial ties to Hasina. She has consistently dismissed the allegations, describing them as a “politically motivated smear.” The UK currently does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, making it unlikely that Siddiq will face imprisonment there.

The case has drawn international attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about political corruption in Bangladesh and the legal risks faced by high-profile figures involved in government affairs. The sentencing underscores the government’s crackdown on alleged misuse of power and continues to resonate amid the country’s turbulent political landscape.