Bangladesh’s former PM Sheikh Hasina jailed for 10 years in land fraud

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a British MP, received a four-year sentence in connection with land fraud cases, foreign media reported on Monday.

A special Dhaka court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Rabiul Alam, handed Hasina the sentences in two cases related to the Purbachal plot scam. Hasina’s other niece, Azmina Siddiq, and nephew, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Babi, were also sentenced to seven years in one of the two cases.

The court imposed fines of 100,000 taka on Azmina, Babi, and eight other defendants; those unable to pay would face an additional six months in prison. In total, besides Hasina and her three family members, 11 other defendants received 10-year sentences, while one defendant was sentenced to two years.

The verdict follows a series of corruption rulings against Hasina last year, when she was sentenced to 26 years in prison in four separate cases between November 27 and December 1.

Her daughter Saima Wajid, son Sajib Wajid Joye, sister Sheikh Rehana, and niece Tulip Siddiq were also convicted in one of four cases each.