Police offer $1m reward information over killing of tobacco war figure Mohammad Keshtiar, known as Afghan Ali

Police are offering a $1m reward and potential immunity from prosecution for information over the execution of gangland figure Mohammad Keshtiar — known as Afghan Ali — as new footage shows the moments the gunmen pounced.

Police are offering potential immunity from prosecution and $1m as they look to solve the public slaying of underworld figure Mohammad Keshtiar

Keshtiar, known as “Afghan Ali”, was repeatedly shot in the upper body while walking with a friend on Almeida Crescent, just off the bustling Chapel St entertainment precinct in South Yarra, on August 4 last year.

Launching a fresh bid for information, Victoria Police on Monday said anyone who comes forward with information that leads to a conviction could be spared from prosecution.

A $1m reward is now also on offer for information about the drive-by shooting, during which the assailants approached the pair in a stolen Toyota Prado about 11.30pm.

Mohammad Keshtiar, known as Afghan Ali, was shot dead in South Yarra. Picture: Supplied

Keshtiar was shot walking on Almeida Crescent. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The shooting happened about 11.30pm on August 4, 2023. Picture: Supplied

One of the attackers, wearing dark clothing, ran out of the car and pumped shots into 53-year-old Keshtiar before he was rushed to hospital where he later died.

His associate escaped unharmed.

The stolen Prado was found torched on Churchill Park Drive in Endeavour Hills the following day about 4.40am.

The Director of Public Prosecutions will consider offering indemnity from prosecution for anyone who provides information that leads to the identity of the killers and subsequent conviction.

Detectives believe at least two people were directly involved in the “targeted execution”, and that several people are aware of the details surrounding the kill plot.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad said Keshtiar’s long-running links to organised crime had hampered the investigation, including determining the motive behind his execution.

“What is clear to us is that this was a deliberate, targeted organised crime hit,” he said.

“It was more than a simple street exchange. Mohammad’s murder involved a confronting level of public violence.

“We also know that there are multiple individuals in the wider community who will have inside knowledge of the planning and the identity of those who took part in the shooting.

“We are particularly keen to hear from those people.”

The shooters drove a stolen stolen grey Toyota Prado. Picture: Supplied

The Prado, which was found burnt out, had distinctive rims. Picture: Supplied

The Prado was located on fire in Churchill Park Drive, Endeavour Hills. Picture: Supplied

Detective Inspector Thomas said investigators had to comb through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage connected to the murder.

Part of that footage captured the moment the stolen Prado pulled up to Keshtiar and his friend before the stolen car travelled north on Almeida Crescent.

Detective Inspector Thomas said while Keshtiar’s death had been linked to Victoria’s tobacco wars, the motive behind his death remained unclear.

He said Keshtiar’s associate was lucky to escape unharmed.

That man has told police what unfolded that night but has not provided an official statement.

“Regardless of what life somebody decides to live, they don’t deserve to be killed in the manner in which he (Keshtiar) has been,” Detective Inspector Thomas said.

“That display of public violence is very concerning to us, and hence the $1 million reward in the hope that we can get that extra information that we need to identify those and charge them and hold them responsible for what they’ve done.

“No one deserves to be killed in the manner in which this person has been killed.

“He has family, he has loved ones that deserve to know what exactly has happened.

“We have people involved that have displayed this public violence with a firearm. They need to be held to account.”

Investigators will probe whether underworld figures living overseas were involved in the kill plot, and whether offenders were brought in from interstate.

Detective Inspector Thomas said it was believed additional offenders were responsible for burning the stolen Prado in Endeavour Hills.

He would not say how cooperative Keshtiar’s family and associates had been throughout the investigation.

Anyone with information about the murder should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.