Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for Labour MP Tulip Siddiq Amid Corruption Allegations

A court in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has issued an arrest warrant for British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, as part of an ongoing anti-corruption investigation involving her family. Siddiq, who represents Hampstead and Highgate and is the niece of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is among 53 individuals accused of illegally acquiring land in Dhaka's diplomatic zone through a state-run project.

The allegations suggest that Siddiq and her family members benefited from their political connections to secure a 7,200 square foot plot of land. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh is leading the investigation, which also implicates Siddiq's mother, Sheikh Rehana, and brother, Radwan Siddiq.

Siddiq's legal team has categorically denied the allegations, labelling them as "completely false" and "politically motivated." In a statement, her lawyers asserted that Siddiq has never owned property in Bangladesh and has not been formally contacted by the ACC regarding the charges. They emphasized that no evidence has been provided to substantiate the claims against her.

The UK and Bangladesh do not have an extradition treaty, complicating any potential legal proceedings. Siddiq resigned from her position as Economic Secretary to the Treasury in January 2025, citing the need to avoid distractions amid the ongoing investigations into her family's alleged involvement in corruption during Hasina's tenure.

The case has sparked political debate in the UK, with some opposition members calling for Siddiq to step down from her parliamentary role. However, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has continued to support Siddiq, stating that there is no evidence of wrongdoing on her part.

The ACC has set a deadline of 27 April 2025 for the accused to appear in court. Failure to do so may result in trials conducted in absentia. As the situation unfolds, it raises questions about the intersection of international politics and legal accountability.