
Bangladeshi anti-corruption officials give evidence against UK MP Tulip Siddiq
She is being tried together with her mother, Sheikh Rehana, brother, Radwan Mujib, and sister, Azmina.
Ms Siddiq has been charged with facilitating their receipt of state land in a township project near the capital, Dhaka.
The four were indicted earlier and asked to appear in court, but the prosecution said they absconded and would be tried in absentia.
The trial at the Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 formally began on Wednesday, hearing evidence from officials from the country's Anti-Corruption Commission.
The court had heard from two officials and a third was expected to testify later in the day, Muhammad Tariqul Islam, a public prosecutor, said.
Ms Siddiq's lawyers had previously called the charges baseless and politically motivated.
Separately, the anti-corruption investigation has also alleged that Ms Siddiq's family was involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of money were said to have been embezzled.
The Labour MP represents the north London district of Hampstead and Highgate and served as economic secretary to the Treasury — the minister responsible for tackling financial corruption.
Ms Hasina was ousted after a 15-year rule in a student-led mass uprising in August last year. She fled to India and has been in exile ever since.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as interim leader and vowed to try the former prime minister.
Hundreds of protesters were killed during the uprising and Ms Hasina now faces charges, including crimes against humanity.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Fish and chip shops 'could vanish' due to Nigel Farage's net zero opposition
Labour MP Bill Esterson, chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, accused Reform UK of ignoring the dangers of climate change and its impact on prices Fish and chips are at risk of vanishing from the high street if Nigel Farage has his way, a senior Labour figure has warned. British waters have seen record average temperatures over the first seven months of the year, leading to shifts in the species living in our waters, and creating challenges for fishing. Statistics also show the average price of fish and chips jumped from £6.64 in January 2020 to £10.09 in January 2025, despite industry attempts to ' cushion the blow ' for consumers. Labour MP Bill Esterson, chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, has now accused Reform of ignoring the dangers of climate change, and argued it was seeing prices soar in a blow to business. He told The Mirror: "While Nigel Farage wants us to ignore climate change, part of the British way of life is under threat. The seas around the UK are warming up. Cod and haddock are moving to colder waters." It comes after a Reform UK police chief's 'dark heart of wokeness' claim comes under fire. He continued: "The Labour government is taking climate action at home and abroad which will help limit the rise in sea temperatures. Reform needs to explain why they are happy for the British public to pay through the nose for our fish and chips, or possibly even lose our nation's favourite dish once and for all.' Mr Farage has previously described the UK's net zero target as 'complete and utter madness', while his fellow Reform MP Richard Tice recently 'declared war' on green energy projects. National Federation of Fish Friers President Andrew Crook told The Mirror climate change could be a factor in the price increases, and that the UK's chippies were doing their best to keep prices down for customers. He said: 'Most of the fish used in the nation's fish and chip shops comes from the Barents Sea and the waters around Iceland as the fish prefers deeper colder water than around the UK. We are currently feeling the effects of the quota for cod being reduced from 1m tonnes five years ago to 340,000 tonnes this year as scientists are trying to address a couple of poor year classes of fish. 'These could be caused by climate change, predation or another natural occurrence. In isolation we could handle it but we are seeing increases across the board and high tax burden which unfortunately has led to some increases but we are trying to cushion consumers as much as we can so they can continue to enjoy the nation's favourite dish.'


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of protesters take to streets near migrant hotel after ‘asylum seeker guest' arrested on suspicion of assault
It comes after a migrant in his 20s was arrested for common assault on Friday ASYLUM RAGE Hundreds of protesters take to streets near migrant hotel after 'asylum seeker guest' arrested on suspicion of assault Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANTI-Asylum protestors have gathered outside the Britannia Hotel again today. The Pink Ladies group waved Union Jack and England flags while others let-off smoke flares in the street. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Pink Ladies Anti Asylum Hotel Protestor gathering outside the Britannia International Hotel today Credit: George Cracknell Wright 9 Demonstrators waved Union Jack and England flags while donning pink outfits Credit: George Cracknell Wright 9 It comes amid growing unrest Credit: George Cracknell Wright It comes after a migrant in his 20s was arrested for common assault after entering a woman's flat on Friday. The incident occurred in the Isle of Dogs on Wednesday night before he was detained by nearby members of the public. He was arrested by police on suspicion of common assault and he remains in custody. MailOnline reported that the man was a migrant staying in a Canary Wharf hotel. He reportedly entered the woman's house after being told to "go back to the hotel" where anti-migrant protestors were gathered. The 22-year-old woman whose flat he entered was arrested on Wednesday evening. Channay Augustus has since been charged with a number of offences including possession of an offensive weapon, affray, assault on an emergency worker, common assault and possession of cannabis. The affray and common assault charge relate to an incident at the Britannia Hotel in Marsh Wall which occurred on Wednesday evening. It concerned an alleged attack on a security guard at the hotel. She is due to appear in court later this morning. The Britannia Hotel has been the subject of recent protests after it was used for migrants arriving into Britain. It was closed to paying customers and converted into taxpayer-funded 'surge' accommodation for illegal arrivals in the UK. Earlier this week a coach load of asylum seekers were seen running into the four-star establishment under the cover of darkness. The Sun previously reported how mattresses, drinks and bed frames were shipped into hotel, which branded itself as the 'perfect' place for tourists to spend a weekend. 9 A migrant in his 20s was arrested for common assault after entering a woman's flat on Friday in the Isle of Dogs Credit: George Cracknell Wright 9 The Britannia Hotel has been the subject of recent protests Credit: George Cracknell Wright 9 Huge banners have been displayed reading: 'We're not far right but we're not far wrong... stop the boats' Credit: George Cracknell Wright The 500-room hotel – said to have 'superb views over London' – was designated for asylum seekers in a move that has angered anti-migrant protesters who staged peaceful demonstrations outside. Earlier this month, the first arrivals saw about 40 male asylum seekers sent to the hotel by coach, with most dressed in grey tracksuits. The first arrivals were taken in at around 1.40am to be given rooms. They were helped by masked security guards working as private contractors for the Home Office. The use of the flash financial district hotel, one of around 210 hotels in use for asylum housing, was previously branded as farcical and an 'insult' to taxpayers. When open to the public, a standard room had cost as much as £425 a night – though it will cost the Home Office £81 a night. Amenities include a games room with a pool table and gym, though it is unclear if migrants will be allowed to use them. An indoor pool and sauna are thought to have been shut down. A Tower Hamlets Council spokesman told The Sun previously: 'We are aware of the Government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. 'It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place." The Home Office previously said: 'We inherited a broken asylum system from the Tories with costs spiralling out of control. 'As part of the plan to restore order and close all asylum hotels by the end of the parliament, we are boosting border security, substantially increasing removals of those with no right to be here. 'We are also tackling the Tories' wasteful contracts by ending the use of more expensive accommodation and moving to cheaper options.' 9 The Britannia has been designated for asylum seekers Credit: George Cracknell Wright 9 Earlier this month, the first arrivals saw about 40 male asylum seekers sent to the hotel by coach Credit: George Cracknell Wright 9 Use of the hotel to house asylum seekers has been branded as farcical and an 'insult' to taxpayers Credit: George Cracknell Wright More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.


BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Serbian leader vows tough response to protesters following riots
President Aleksandar Vucic has announced tough measures against anti-government protesters following days of riots in the streets of Serbia that have challenged his increasingly autocratic rule in the Balkan country. In one of his frequent TV addresses to the public, Mr Vucic accused the anti-government demonstrators of 'pure terrorism' and re-iterated his claims that months of persistent protests against his rule have been orchestrated in the West and aimed at destroying Serbia. Advertisement 'Our country is in grave danger, they have jeopardised all our values, normal life, each individual,' Mr Vucic said, alleging an elaborate scheme that would eventually install 'anarcho-leftist' authorities in the future. He did not offer any concrete evidence for his claims. Supporters of Aleksandar Vucic hurl flares at anti-government protesters (Darko Vojinovic/AP) 'Unless we undertake tougher steps it is a question of days when they (protesters) will kill someone,' Mr Vucic said. 'I am saying this for history.' Advertisement The stern warnings came after five consecutive nights of clashes between the protesters on one side and police and Mr Vucic's loyalists on the other. Angry protesters on Saturday evening torched Mr Vucic's governing Serbian Progressive Party offices in a town in western Serbia, and of other ruling coalition allies. The demonstrators on Saturday evening also clashed with police in Belgrade, the capital, and in the northern city of Novi Sad. Riot officers used tear gas against demonstrators who hurled stun grenades, flares and bottles at them. Advertisement Mr Vucic did not specify what will be the state response that he said would come within a week. But he stressed that a state of emergency is not imminent. Scores of people already have been detained and injured in the past days while police have faced accusations of excessive force and arbitrary detentions of protesters. 'You will witness the determination of the state of Serbia,' Mr Vucic said. 'We will use everything at our disposal to restore peace and order in the country.' The clashes this week marked a major escalation following more than nine months of largely peaceful demonstrations that started after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Serbia's north, killing 16 people. Advertisement Many in Serbia blamed the tragedy on alleged widespread corruption in state-run infrastructure projects that they say fuelled poor renovation work. The Serbian president has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while allowing organised crime and corruption to flourish. He has denied this. Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but Mr Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China. On Sunday, he praised Russia's backing for his government against what he called a 'coloured revolution' against his government. Advertisement