Gangland figure Mohammed Keshtiar facing steroid charges at time of South Yarra murder

Gangster Mohammed Keshtiar – who was shot dead in South Yarra – was facing drug charges at the time of his murder. His lawyer now says the court is in “uncharted territory”.

Police, including the Viper Taskforce, are investigating the fatal shooting on Almeida Crescent in South Yarra. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A lawyer for gangland figure Mohammed Keshtiar has told a court they are now in “uncharted territory” after his client was murdered while facing charges of his own.

Keshtiar, widely known by the nickname “Afghan Ali”, was on a firearms prohibition order at the time of his death which meant he faced big penalties if he was caught with a gun.

It also meant he or his vehicle could be searched at any time by police without a warrant, with a January search revealing Keshtiar was in possession of steroids in St Kilda while on bail.

But the gangster was ambushed and shot dead last Friday night while he was walking to his swank Almeida Crescent apartment from a South Yarra gym.

Mohammed Keshtiar was shot dead in South Yarra.

Keshtiar’s defence lawyer Massi Ahmadzay appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, telling the court the plan before his client was murdered was to challenge the legality of the January search.

He said he would have argued the relevant legislation does not permit “random searches” without a “proper basis”.

“Unfortunately, Mr Keshtiar is no longer with us,” Mr Ahmadzay said.

“However, there remains the question of costs.”

The court heard the matter was now in “uncharted territory”, with Belinda Franjic noting the case was “novel” as she gave the parties another month to try to reach a resolution as to costs.

She said the two charges of possessing a drug of dependence and the charge of committing an indictable offence while on bail would have to be withdrawn given Keshtiar’s death.

It is not known whether the drugs were for his own use but Keshtiar had a history of abusing bodybuilding drugs.

In 2000, he pleaded guilty to the possession of anabolic steroids.

Keshtiar was a prime candidate for a firearms prohibition order, having been convicted of three non-fatal shootings, being a known organised crime figure and having links to bikie gangs.

The 53-year-old was suspected of being involved in other gun crimes over the past 20 years.

Ms Franjic was forced to notionally extend Keshtiar’s bail due to a technical glitch, noting the “absurdity” of doing so.

The parties will return to court on September 12.

Originally published as Gangland figure Mohammed Keshtiar facing steroid charges at time of South Yarra murder