By Rupert Neate
The former prime minister of Iceland has been formally charged over his part in the collapse of the country’s banks in 2008.
Geir Haarde was charged with failing to prevent the banking crisis and failing in his prime ministerial duty to manage the fallout. He could face two years in jail if found guilty.
Haarde, 60, who stood down as prime minister in early 2009, said the charges were “political persecution”, calling for the case to be thrown out.