PRESS RELEASE
Dr. Mohammad Zahoor, Pakistani-Origin British Investor's Humanitarian Efforts inUkraine: A Chronicle of Commitment and Betrayal
Kyiv, Ukraine – August 01, 2024 – In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Mohammad Zahoor, a Pakistani-origin British investor known for his unwavering commitment to Ukraine's cultural, humanitarian, and defense sectors, was illegally deprived of real estate in the city of Kyiv.The raider seizure of the property occurred based on a dubious court order in 2019, despite three court decisions in favor of Dr. Zahoor, including one from the Supreme Court. Dr.Zahoor’s contributions to Ukraine over the decades have been monumental, spanning from cultural restoration to life-saving humanitarian aid.
A Legacy of Contribution:
Cultural Revival:
In the late 90s, Dr. Zahoor spearheaded the restoration of the Odesa Opera, preserving a significant piece of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
Religious and Industrial Integration:
He funded the construction of a chapel in the Donetsk Metallurgical Mill, blending spiritual solace with industrial progress.
Journalistic Integrity:
As the fearless publisher of KyivPost from 2009 to 2018, he exposed government corruption and malfeasance, holding power to account.
Humanitarian Efforts:
Refugee Support:
Despite losing tens of millions of dollars due to the occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk by Russia, Dr. Zahoor focused on aiding hundreds of internally displaced refugees from Donbas.
Medical Donations:
His donations of life-saving equipment to the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Kyiv have saved the lives of over 100,000 children with heart defects.
COVID-19 Response:During the COVID-19 pandemic, his donation of life-saving medicines saved thousands of lives.
International Mediation:
Afghan Evacuation:
When the USA abandoned Afghanistan, Dr. Zahoor mediated the rescue of 92 Ukrainian citizens,
coordinating between GUR, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
War-Time Humanitarian Services:
European Coordination:
Worked with Hungarian and Polish governments to receive Ukrainian immigrants and facilitate
their transition to the EU.
Coordinated with the Belgian government for temporary residence arrangements for forced
migrants from Ukraine.
Established three hostels outside Frankfurt for 700 immigrants.
Sponsored Ukrainian citizens in the UK.
Organized charity concerts and meet-and-greet events for Ukrainian refugees across Hungary,
Poland, Germany, Italy, and Belgium.
Dispatched daily supplies of medicines and food during the initial months of the war.
A Grave Injustice:
Despite his monumental contributions, on July 10, 2024, merely two days after a cowardly Russian attack on Ohmatdyt, a dozen armed military personnel from the Ministry of Defense’s apartment department, accompanied by their land mafia patrons in black SUVs and a notorious lawyer, executed a brazen raid on Dr. Zahoor's company property in central Kyiv. This egregious act saw his property unlawfully occupied, witnessed by onlookers as an abuse of power and a betrayal of a dedicated humanitarian.
Prehistory:
Since 2009, the private enterprise "Parker Plus" has owned the property complex at Kyiv, str. Sichovyh Streltsiv, 24A. In 2010, the Kyiv City Council allocated a plot of land under the property complex for lease to the company. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine never owned this property, as confirmed by three court decisions:
The decision of the Supreme Court from 2009
The decision of the Supreme Court from 2019
The decision of the Court of Appeal from 2019
In 2018, the Ministry of Defense’s apartment department and the Prosecutor's Office attempted to seize this property illegally, a story actively covered in the mass media:
24tv.ua publication dated November 23, 2018
Glavcom.ua publication dated October 19, 2018
Delo.ua publication dated October 3, 2018
Propertytimes.com.ua publication dated October 8, 2018
Liga.net publication dated October 7, 2018
The Supreme Court confirmed the ownership of Mr. Zahoor’s company over the property complex.
The Questionable Court Order:
The Shevchenkiv District Court of Kyiv issued the order in 2019, ironically just months after Ukraine's highest appeal court's ruling in favor of Dr. Zahoor. This order, unknown to Dr.Zahoor's company until July 2024, mandated the return of the property complex to the Ministry of Defense’s apartment department as physical evidence related to a 2009 case against a Ministry official. This order, however, did not apply to Dr. Zahoor’s company. The fact that the court amended a decade-old decision without notifying the legal owner raises serious questions.
Rhetorical questions arise:
Why did this order surface five years after its adoption?
Why weren't the owners informed despite paying all property taxes and communal charges
for years?
Why was a registrar in Yakushinetsky village council of the Vinnytsia region chosen to
register the property instead of any Kyiv registrar?
What were a dozen black mirrored SUVs doing at the site during the raid?
The answer appears to be a meticulously planned raider seizure.
Corruption and Intimidation:
A year ago, Istil Group was hinted at the existence of a criminal case and was indirectly asked for money to close it. However, Istil Group, Mr. Zahoor’s group of companies with international investments and reputation, categorically refuses to give bribes.
New Criminal Pressure:
Recently, Istil Group became aware that a criminal case was initiated against the company allegedly for the destruction of the above-mentioned property complex. The rationale for initiating a criminal case is impressive. Thus, the military prosecutor's office, being aware that the company is the legal owner of the property complex, being a participant in all court proceedings in which the Supreme Court recognized the company's ownership of the property complex and the land plot, unilaterally transfers the said property complex in its virtual
reality for storage by the company, while not even informing the company about it. Thecondition of the property complex has not changed at all since the date of its acquisition by the company. Istil Group perceives such actions as another attempt at pressure.
Further Intentions:
Istil Group is preparing another lawsuit after winning three previous court cases to prove its ownership yet again. While the country is at war, these corrupt officials engage in open raiding, which is a shame for Ukraine.
Minister of Defense Mr. Umerov must hold accountable the corrupt officials within the Ministry of Defense’s apartment department and their vested interests with the land mafia.
Having invested over $400 million in Ukraine, Istil Group will no longer tolerate this attitude towards a loyal investor. It will not only fight to secure its investment in the Ukrainian court but also prepare a lawsuit for an investment dispute against the State of Ukraine, which the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine will receive soon from its lawyers. Similarly, the UK, USA, EU, and other diplomatic missions will also be informed about the issue. Besides local Ukrainian media outlets, our public relations company will also approach FT, WP, NYT, Spiegel, Politico, and Forbes to cover the story and insist that the Ministry of Defense punish the culprits and return the property to its legal owner.
Contact Information:
For further inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Sergiy Chlechko
Tel.: +380503330701
Email: sergey@istilgroup.com
About Mohammad Zahoor:
Dr. Mohammad Zahoor is a distinguished investor of Pakistani origin with British citizenship whose contributions to Ukraine span decades and include significant cultural, humanitarian, and defense support. His unwavering dedication to the country has saved countless lives and bolstered Ukraine's resilience in the face of adversity.
This press release aims to highlight the investor's extensive contributions and the unjusttreatment he received in return.
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