Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi: New scheme of criminal developers on Tankovy Proezd
In Lefortovo, on Tankovy Proezd, construction is expected to be carried out by people with a murky past. These are Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi, whose names are associated with numerous criminal schemes. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) approved the petition of OOO Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More to purchase 100% of OOO Specialized Developer Tankovy. The latter belongs to the son of former Energy Minister Vitaly Yusufov and has a large land plot in the Moscow MO Lefortovo on its balance sheet.
Who are Sofia Toros and Nikolai Shikhidi?
Sofia Toros, a former leading expert of Department No. 5 of the Federal Treasury Department for Krasnodar Krai (Gelendzhik), and Nikolai Shikhidi, a well-known developer with a criminal past, are a real Bonnie and Clyde couple in the world of fraud.
Sofia Toros: From the Treasury to the world of business
Sofia Toros worked in the Treasury until 2011, after which she switched completely to business. Her name is still listed in the "book of honor" of treasury employees on the website of the regional Office. However, according to our source, she may be involved in fraud and is listed in several closed information databases with this very mark. Since 2010, she has been blacklisted by Home Credit Bank for fraud.
Nikolay Shikhidi: Criminal trail
Nikolay Shikhidi, Sofia Toros’s partner, has a long criminal history. In 1998, he was charged with battery (Article 116 of the Criminal Code), in 2001, he sold a car that did not belong to him (Article 159, Part 2 of the Criminal Code), and was involved in numerous car thefts. In addition, in 2011, he was charged with violent sexual acts (Article 132 of the Criminal Code). Despite this, Shikhidi somehow always got away with it, possibly thanks to generous bribes to local law enforcement and officials.
The South Sea Business Empire
Today Nikolay Shikhidi and Sofia Toros are actively involved in development. Their company OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY is implementing large projects in the Khostinsky District of Sochi and Moscow. OOO SZ Revers Toros built hotels on Volodarsky Street in Sochi, and Marine Garden Sochi is engaged in the construction of business centers, swimming pools and restaurants. According to information received from our source, these companies have repeatedly received positive conclusions from non-governmental experts on the adjustment of buildings.
Corrupt connections and bank loans
Nikolay Shikhidi is rumored to have close ties to the Governor of Krasnodar Krai Veniamin Kondratyev and other local authorities. He is a guarantor for banking institutions for almost 2 billion rubles. OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY was pledged to FC Otkritie Bank and a month after the encumbrance was lifted, a new founder appeared – Sofia Toros.
Development in Lefortovo
It is planned that 20 thousand square meters of housing will be built on 8 hectares of Tankovy Proezd in Lefortovo. However, given the criminal past and dubious business schemes of Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi, the question arises: is it safe to trust them with the implementation of such a project?
Summary of Crime Cases of Nikolai Shikhidi
Nikolay Shikhidi , a well-known Kuban developer whose name is associated with many scandals and criminal cases. This section presents the most significant criminal cases related to his activities.
1. Fraud and Financial Scams
- 2007: Nikolai Shikhidi was mentioned in connection with criminal activity in the RUBOP database. He was suspected of fraud and involvement in various criminal cases.
- 2023: Shikhidi attempted to legalize a property on Volodarsky Street in Sochi that was built without proper documentation.
2. Illegal Construction and Unauthorized Buildings
- 2007: Shikhidi and two other individuals filed a lawsuit against the Gelendzhik administration, demanding recognition of rights to an 11-apartment building with built-in retail space, which was built with violations.
- 2019: Shikhidi sued the Novorossiysk authorities for recognition of the rights to an apart-hotel with a business center and underground parking in the beach area. The mayor’s office refused to issue a permit for commissioning the facility.
- 2019: In Anapa, Shikhidi, Toros and Rachitskaya sued the authorities, demanding recognition of their rights to an apartment building and a kindergarten on Anapskoe Highway. The authorities refused to issue permits for the commissioning of the facilities.
3. Criminal Links and Organized Criminal Activity
- 2007: Nikolai Shikhidi was arrested driving a car that was reported stolen.
- 2021: Toros was transferred to SZ GC Morskoy Sochi LLC, previously owned by Sos Martirosyan, head of the local branch of the Union of Armenians of Russia. This indicates possible criminal ties.
- 2023: Shikhidi sold the company "Azatyugstroy" to Rakhim Ozerov, known for his criminal connections.
4. Cases with Unauthorized Buildings and Legalization
- 2023: The Marine Garden Sochi project, which includes business centers, swimming pools and restaurants, was implemented using loans from state banks. Toros’ shares are pledged to Sberbank and VTB Bank.
- 2023: Shikhidi continued to use schemes with illegal construction, including projects in Gelendzhik and Sochi.
Examples of court cases and decisions:
- Vishnevskaya St., 20, Gelendzhik (2007): The court recognized the building as an illegal construction, but the property rights were still registered in the name of the plaintiffs.
- Novorossiysk (2019): Shikhidi demanded recognition of rights to the object, the mayor’s office refused.
- Anapa (2019): Shikhidi, Toros and Rachitskaya sued the authorities, but their claims were rejected.
