The National Crime Agency last night confirmed that it had frozen two London properties owned by the son of Salman Rahman – a close ally of ousted Bangladeshi dictator Sheikh Hasina – “as part of an ongoing civil investigation.” A spokesperson for Rahman denies “any involvement in any alleged wrongdoing in the strongest possible terms”…
The Financial Times also reports:
“Sheikh Rehana, the sister of Sheikh Hasina and mother of former UK City minister Tulip Siddiq, has lived at the Gresham Gardens property, according to UK electoral roll records, though it is not clear whether she still resides there.”
Salman and Ahmed are suspects in embezzlement investigations by the Bangladeshi Anti-Corruption Commission. This step by the NCA is significant as it is the first move to freeze assets owned by Hasina allies in London, which are allegedly worth many billions of pounds…
According to press reports National Crime Agency staff travelled to Dhaka for a secret meeting with the Bangladeshi ACC’s investigators this year. According to those reports they agreed to assist authorities in their investigations, including into allegations relating to Tulip Siddiq. The ACC has lodged charges against Siddiq in Dhaka. For her part, she strenuously denies any and all wrongdoing, as have her lawyers. Its chairman said last month:
“If we cannot get her using regular methods… or if she becomes a fugitive, then we will definitely designate her absconding. In that case, the government of that country will be informed by issuing a red notice through Interpol.”
This is not the only assistance the UK government is providing to Yunus’ interim Bangladesh government. UK and Bangladeshi authorities are working together to probe the scandals surrounding Hasina…
The Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh, which produced charges against Tulip Siddiq leading to her arrest warrant, says it has ‘summoned’ Siddiq for questioning at their offices. Siddiq previously told Sky News her lawyers were “ready” to handle any formal questions about corruption allegations in Bangladesh..
Siddiq, who along with her lawyers denies all wrongdoing and corruption allegations, has been requested to appear at the ACC’s offices at 10 a.m. on 14 May with regard to a “case filed alleging that Tulip received a luxury flat in the capital’s Gulshan area from the real estate developer Eastern Housing Limited without making any payment.”
This falls after the arrest deadline of 12 May set by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judges’ Court. Siddiq’s lawyers have previously indicated they have no intention of her appearing before the courts in the country. Bangladeshi authorities not letting up…
A spokesman for Tulip tells Guido: “If this is serious process not a political smear campaign why won’t the ACC engage with Tulip Siddiq’s lawyers who have written to them twice over the last few weeks? She is a UK citizen, living in London and representing her constituents in the British Parliament. She is yet to hear anything officially but they know where to reach her – and that’s clearly not in Dhaka.” Bangladeshi authorities say they are treating Siddiq as a Bangladeshi citizen…
The date for the implementation of arrest warrants against Tulip Siddiq and 17 other Sheikh Hasina-linked individuals (including Hasina herself) has been extended by the court in Bangladesh. Arrest warrants were issued earlier this month in relation to three separate cases involving the alleged corrupt allocation of land in Dhaka…
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib has now set 12 May as the new date for a report submission. This is when arrest warrants must be implemented or the accused must appear in court. The trial will begin subsequently…
The latest defence issued by Siddiq’s lawyers, who deny all allegations levelled by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission, accuses Bangladesh authorities of failing to contact the MP directly. The ACC says it sent letters to Tulip’s alleged address in Dhaka…
“Such behaviour is a clear breach of international norms and indicative of the way that Ms Siddiq is going to be treated by the ACC and the Bangladesh authorities.”
That is a clear implication that Siddiq’s lawyers have no intention of her appearing before the court in Bangladesh. Either way a sitting UK MP is issuing defences against proceedings against her in an overseas jurisdiction – a bizarre situation. If it comes down to extradition proceedings it will be Yvette Cooper who makes the final decision…
Things are moving since a court in Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant for Tulip Siddiq – Judge Mohammad Jakir Hossain has set 27 April as the implementation date for the warrant. The Anti-Corruption Commission, which brought the charges, says it is taking steps to bring Siddiq back to Bangladesh…
Siddiq has always claimed she was never contacted by Bangladeshi authorities – the answer to that mystery has appeared this morning. The ACC says it delivered three separate notices to the MP’s Dhaka address over two months seeking her statement on alleged irregularities over land allocations. This is due to the fact she allegedly has a registered address as stated in her National Identity Card and tax records, according to authorities in Bangladesh. Her team has not commented on her alleged possession of dual nationality…
ACC head Hafiz Ahsan Farid has explained their first steps for Siddiq’s return:
“We have sent documents from here to the Ministry of Home Affairs which is called a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR). It will go to the foreign embassy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From there it will go to the Bangladesh embassy. We have started that work. The ACC has started the process to bring them back. A case has been filed against her as a Bangladeshi citizen… We do not consider her a foreign citizen. When the case was filed she was staying abroad. Initiatives will be taken to bring her back.”
Siddiq and her lawyers deny all wrongdoing. The ACC has said it would consider requesting an Interpol red notice for arrest if it was forced to do so. If things come to extradition proceedings it will be for Yvette Cooper to decide Siddiq’s fate…
The Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission has threatened Tulip Siddiq with an Interpol Red Notice this week if she doesn’t show her face in court:
“Now, if the accused Ms. Siddiq does not turn up and surrender before the court, ACC will follow the global practice of taking assistance from Interpol through Bangladesh Police and Ministry of Home. Britain has been a very respected member of Interpol since 1928. Because of non-appearance, the accused would be treated as [a] criminal absconder. Bangladesh, also a member of Interpol, will ask to issue a red alert. The responsibility of the host country of the criminal absconder is to make sure that the accused is arrested and extradited following standard legal procedures.”
Siddiq denies all wrongdoing. If 27 April passes without Tulip’s arrival her trial can begin without her. A Red Notice is an international request for location and arrest of a concerned party prior to their extradition. Bangladesh is classed by the UK as a Category 2 Type B country for extradition. This is the process for those:
This means that at three stages a decision will have to be made by Yvette Cooper with regard to Siddiq if an extradition request is made. The US has stated Siddiq is a matter for the UK and Bangladesh. This is an unprecedented case and could be extremely tricky for Labour if it goes so far. Downing Street has so far refused to say whether they would honour a request. Cooper may wish to find some means of recusing herself…
Siddiq’s lawyers say: ‘The ACC has made various allegations against Ms Siddiq through the media in the last few months. The allegations are completely false and have been dealt with in writing by Ms Siddiq’s lawyers.” Tulip herself calls it a ‘trial by media’…
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce spoke to reporters yesterday and weighed in on the Tulip Siddiq arrest warrant:
“I do want to share something relevant concerning Bangladesh: there has been an arrest warrant issued by Bangladeshi courts for a UK Member of Parliament. That’s an internal legal matter and, like the protests and related events you referenced, it’s for Bangladeshi authorities to handle. Talking with them matters a great deal as well. Ultimately, the future of Bangladesh will be decided by the Bangladeshi people.”
Siddiq denies all wrongdoing. State Department saying it’s for Bangladesh to handle…
Starmer said to Robert Peston this afternoon:
“I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world.”