A court in Dhaka has sentenced Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister **Sheikh Hasina** to **five years in prison**, and her niece British Labour MP **Tulip Siddiq** to **two years**, after finding them guilty of corruption linked to a controversial government land project.
The verdict was delivered by Judge **Rabiul Alam** of Dhaka’s Special Judge’s Court, who ruled that Hasina had **abused her authority as prime minister**, while Siddiq was guilty of **improperly influencing** her aunt to secure a government land plot for her mother and two siblings.
Siddiq’s mother, **Sheikh Rehana**, identified as the primary beneficiary in the case, received a **seven-year sentence**. Fourteen others are also implicated.
Siddiq who represents **Hampstead and Highgate** in the UK Parliament has previously dismissed the charges, calling the trial a *“politically motivated farce built on fabricated accusations.”* She stepped down as a minister in January under pressure over her family ties.
Hasina, who has been **living in exile in India**, has faced multiple trials in absentia. In November, she was **sentenced to death** on charges of crimes against humanity for her role in the violent crackdown on the mass uprising that toppled her 15-year rule last year.
None of the defendants appointed legal representation in the latest case. Rehana and Siddiq’s siblings remain abroad as they face additional charges related to last year’s unrest.
The new ruling follows another decision on **November 27**, when a separate court sentenced Hasina to **21 years in prison** in three cases connected to the same township project. Her son and daughter were each given *five-year sentences*.
