Tulip’s lawyers condemn ACC’s arrest warrant over graft case

The solicitors claim the ACC has not shared any documents proving their allegations against the former minister

Lawyers for British MP Tulip Siddiq have sharply criticised Bangladeshi officials after an arrest warrant was issued for her amid corruption allegations.

The Hampstead and Highgate representative’s legal team has accused the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of undermining her right to a fair legal process, according to The Standard.

The ACC alleges that Tulip, who stepped down from a ministerial role earlier this year, was involved in efforts to secure three plots of land in Dhaka’s Purbachal residential development for her UK-based family, allegedly using her influence with her aunt, deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The wider investigation involves claims that Hasina’s family misappropriated billions in public funds.

On Apr 13, Tulip was ordered to appear before a special Dhaka court in the capital by Apr 27. Failing to do so would result in an arrest warrant against the British lawmaker.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for Tulip’s mother, Rehana, and her siblings, all of whom deny the allegations.

Despite public accusations, Tulip’s lawyers claim no official documentation or charges have been shared with her, nor has she been contacted by authorities.

In their correspondence, Tulip’s legal team from Stephenson Harwood condemned what they called an “orchestrated campaign” to damage her reputation, accusing the ACC of media leaks and unlawful threats of an Interpol Red Notice.

The firm described the ACC’s actions as “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”.

They urged Bangladeshi officials to engage directly with their client rather than resorting to public statements.

The firm said, “The ACC, its investigation officer, the prosecutor and the courts in Bangladesh are each failing in their legal obligations to ensure Ms Siddiq's fundamental right to justice.”

“The ACC should stop hiding behind the media, stop "shying away" from confronting Ms Siddiq directly and deal with her fairly and openly,” they added.

According to the Standard, this is the firm’s second message to the ACC, the first being a letter sent on Mar 18, which claimed Tulip does not have any cases to answer in Bangladesh, and thus no reason to travel to the country.

ACC chair Abdul Momen responded by saying the matter will proceed through the courts and dismissed the need for legal correspondence, warning that failure to appear would lead to Tulip being classified as a fugitive.