A British Member of Parliament has been handed a two-year prison sentence by a court in Bangladesh, in a case her supporters describe as a politically motivated sham.
The MP, who represents a London constituency, was convicted on corruption charges related to her family’s alleged acquisition of land in Dhaka. The charges are connected to her aunt, the country’s former prime minister, who was recently ousted and sentenced to death in a separate proceeding. The MP has consistently denied all allegations, stating she has never held a Bangladeshi passport or identity card as an adult and was never formally notified of the charges or provided legal counsel.
The trial, which began in August, included over twenty defendants, among them several of the MP’s immediate family members. Prosecutors have argued that official summons were sent to an address listed on her Bangladeshi documents, a claim she dismisses as based on forgeries. A coalition of prominent British legal figures has raised serious concerns about the judicial process, alleging a denial of basic rights, including the intimidation and house arrest of a lawyer she attempted to appoint.
Following the verdict, the MP condemned the proceedings as a “flawed and farcical” exercise by a “kangaroo court,” asserting her sole focus remains on her parliamentary duties in the UK. Her aunt’s 15-year tenure was marked by widespread allegations of authoritarian rule, corruption, and human rights abuses documented by international observers. The former leader fled the country last year and remains in exile.
The MP, who holds Bangladeshi citizenship through her parents, resigned from a ministerial role in the UK government last year following scrutiny of her family’s financial connections. An independent investigation into her conduct found no breach of rules, though it noted a failure to adequately manage reputational risks.
While no formal extradition treaty exists between the UK and Bangladesh, authorities are expected to make a request to the British Home Secretary. A conviction of this nature could complicate diplomatic relations and restrict the MP’s international travel.