British authorities on Tuesday charged Barclays Bank PLC and four former executives with conspiracy to commit fraud and the provision of illegal financial assistance linked to loan funds for Qatar.
The charges relate to the bank's capital raising arrangements with Qatar Holding LLC and Challenger Universal Ltd in 2008, and a 3-billion-dollar loan facility for the Qatar government the same year, the Serious Fraud Office said.
They follow a five-year investigation into the arrangements, which the Financial Times said had helped Barclays to "stave off UK government control" during a financial crisis.
"Barclays is considering its position in relation to these developments," the bank said in a statement responding to the charges.
Challenger Universal was an investment vehicle for Qatar's former prime minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani.
By Bill Smith
