Sami Bebawi, former SNC-Lavalin exec, released on $200K bail - Action News
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Montreal

Sami Bebawi, former SNC-Lavalin exec, released on $200K bail

A former top executive from engineering firm SNC-Lavalin who is accused of several charges including fraud, bribery and extortion has been released on $200,000 bail.

Former VP construction for engineering firm accused of fraud, extortion, bribery, money laundering and more

File photo: SNC-Lavalin is an international engineering and construction firm headquartered in Montreal. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

A former top executive from engineering firmSNC-Lavalinhas been released on $200,000 bail after appearing at the Montreal courthouse Friday.

SamiBebawiis charged with fraud, extortion, bribing a foreign official. obstruction of justice, possession of the proceeds of a crime and money laundering.

Sami Bebawi is accused of bribing a foreign official and fraud. (SNC-Lavalin)

The 68-year-old Bebawi is suspected of laundering $33 million between 2001 and 2012 through international projects.

Although Canada and Egypt have no extradition agreement, Bebawichose to return to Canada voluntarily to clear his name, said Canadian lawyerAlexandreBergevin on Thursday.

He is facing numerous accusations that include allegedly attempting to extort former colleague Riadh Ben Aissa.

In 2013, Radio-Canada's investigative programEnqutereported thatBebawihad beendetained in Switzerland for allegedly bribing one of deceased Libyan dictatorMoammarGhadafi'ssons.

Those allegations have yet to be tested in court.

BenAissaclaimedBebawioffered him money in exchange for BenAissabacking up testimony given to Swiss authorities. Based on these allegations, the RCMP obtained wiretap warrants forBebawiand his lawyer ConstantineKyres, who is also facing charges.

Ben Aissa is also facing fraud-related charges in connection with the McGill University Health Centre superhospital scandal. Bebawi'scharges are not related to the MUHC affair.

Conditions ofBebawisrelease include reporting to the RCMP every two weeks and obtaining the RCMPs authorization for any international travel. He also had to list all the properties he owns around the world.

The RCMP has frozen several of his properties and bank accounts, including six properties in Montreal.

As a condition of his release, Bebawimust either live at his sons in St-Lambert, or at his second home in Brownsburg-Chatham, Que.