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OTTAWA — In October, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. slammed what it called an “incoherent” ruling by federal prosecutors on its bid to avoid a criminal trial, arguing it would have “dramatic consequences” for its bottom line and for Canada’s national interests.

The comments, part of a federal court filing dated Oct. 19, reveal the Montreal-based engineering giant’s deep frustrations over a years-long legal battle to sidestep charges of bribery and fraud laid in 2015.

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The legal fight lies at the centre of a recent political upheaval in Ottawa, encompassing the highest office of the federal government.

Since 2015, SNC has carried out a widespread lobbying campaign to shed its tarnished reputation, tied to criminal allegations that the firm and two of its subsidiaries paid nearly $48 million in bribes to Libyan officials between 2001 and 2011 to win government contracts.

The campaign included pressuring Ottawa to introduce so-called “deferred prosecution agreements,” or DPAs, which allow SNC to avoid criminal prosecution in return for a guilty plea, a sizeable fine,and proof the company has taken actions to prevent future crimes.