Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said on Tuesday that the corruption cases filed against former UK minister Tulip Siddiq is not politically motivated but rather based on specific and credible evidence.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha on Tuesday.
Responding to questions about a letter sent by Tulip’s lawyer, which accused the ACC and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus of attempting to interfere in British politics, Momen dismissed the allegations, stating that legal matters must be resolved through proper judicial procedures, not through correspondence.
“Cases are not settled through letters. If Tulip Siddiq wants to defend herself, she must appear in court and follow the legal process,” he said.
Refuting the claim that the case could influence British politics, the ACC chairman said, “Is this case so significant that it could bring down British politics? That’s an exaggerated view. This is a legal matter under Bangladesh’s jurisdiction, and it’s being handled accordingly — without any political motive.”
He further explained that Tulip Siddiq is a Bangladeshi citizen, holding both a national ID and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), making it legally appropriate for proceedings to take place in Bangladesh.
Momen also mentioned that three corruption cases have been filed against her. If she fails to appear in court, the trials will continue in her absence, following due legal process.
Reiterating that the ACC has no authority or intention to interfere in foreign politics, Momen said, “Our mandate does not allow us to get involved in the political affairs of other countries. If anyone, including Tulip Siddiq, violates Bangladeshi laws, the same legal steps will apply as in any other case.”
He also called for more responsibility from Siddiq’s legal representatives in their public statements, suggesting that their rhetoric undermines their own position.
“Their language implies that British politics is fragile enough to be influenced by a corruption case abroad—which simply isn’t the case. The ACC operates within its legal framework, not a political one.”
He further noted that the ACC is currently investigating several controversial incidents from 2013, 2018, and 2024, indicating broader efforts to address corruption cases from recent years.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
