Former SNC-Lavalin exec, accused in Libyan bribery case, has obstruction of justice charge stayed

Sami Bebawi, aformer SNC-Lavalin executive,andhis tax attorney havehad obstruction of justice charges against themstayed because it took too long for theircaseto get to trial.

Bebawi, who was vice-president at the Montreal-based engineering giant,and his lawyer ConstantineKyres, were chargedin 2014.

The pair were accused of trying to obstruct justice in another criminal case, involving Bebawi'swork securing contracts in Libya.

Quebec Superior Court JusticeGuyCournoyerhanded down the rulingFriday, citing unreasonable delays.

CournoyerinvokedtheJordandecision, a 2016 Supreme Court of Canadarulingthat sets out timelines to deal with criminal matters.

He said the case was dormant for 11 months and called it a "ship without a captain."

Upcoming trial

Bebawi is still facing charges including fraud and bribery of a public official in relation toSNC-Lavalin's dealings with the regime of the late Libyan dictator, Moammar Gadhafi. The trial is upcoming.

A request to have those charges stayed was rejected.

The Crown said it would take time to decidewhether to appeal the decision. Bebawideclined to comment.

Thecase stems from the same Project Assistance investigation that led to charges againstSNC-Lavalin.

Those charges continue to fuel controversy in Ottawa following a report that the Prime Minister's Office pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to help the company avoid criminal prosecution.