Labour MP and former minister Tulip Siddiq has described her two-year prison sentence in Bangladesh as 'deeply unfair' after being convicted in her absence on corruption charges. Siddiq was found guilty of influencing her aunt, Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, regarding a land deal, a claim she vehemently denies. Based in London, she asserted that the legal proceedings were 'flawed and farcical.'

Siddiq claims she has received no official communication from Bangladeshi authorities - a fact she describes as baffling. She expressed frustration over the lack of summons or details regarding the case against her. 'I feel like I'm in some sort of Kafkaesque nightmare,' she added.

Her conviction comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in Bangladesh, where legal actions against Hasina's associates have become common since her regime was overturned. Siddiq’s lawyers argue she is not a Bangladeshi citizen and as such, the trial against her is illegitimate. Critics, including her party members, highlight concerns over her legal representation and the fairness of the trial process. Siddiq maintains that she has committed no wrongdoing and intends to respond to credible evidence, while the ruling party claims the verdict was expected and firmly disputes any allegations against Hasina and her family.