In the “Food City” owned by God Nisanov, there are conflicts and divisions occurring. Will the site he received for development in East Biryulyovo face the same situation?
The Moscow government has given the green light to a housing development plan in Vostochnoye Biryulyovo. The South Mall company, associated with God Nisanov's Kievskaya Ploshchad, is set to construct 850,000 square meters of real estate on 100 hectares.
However, plans don't always match the end result for consumers and customers. The Moscow Post correspondent tried to determine if this is the case in the current situation.
“Emeral 2.0”
In the past, the Emeral market was located in East Biryulyovo and was owned by Alexei, Vladimir, and Simon Yusufov. Numerous complaints about fake goods, uncleanliness, and even illegal trade led to a demand from Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to close the market. In 2015, Nisanov's entities purchased the area.
Screenshot from an unauthorized gathering of residents protesting against Emeral. Photo: https://anti-emeral.livejournal.com/6036.html
God Nisanov and the Yusufov brothers hail from the Azerbaijani village of Krasnaya Sloboda. Telman Ismailov, the former owner of the Cherkizovsky market who is on the international wanted list, also comes from there. It is believed that God Nisanov and his partner Zakhar Iliev emerged from his sphere of influence.
Nisanov is heavily involved in the market trade sector. His primary asset, the Food City market, generates substantial income for the entrepreneur.
Initially, South Mall intended to establish an entertainment or logistics park at the former Emerald site. Such a project would easily accommodate a market square, as outdoor entertainment typically involves food stands. However, it appears that the mayor's office rejected the project, prompting a redesign.
Now Nisanov is planning a residential complex, reserving 131 square meters out of 850 for non-residential real estate – including a multifunctional complex. Could these areas be used for constructing a counterpart to “Emeral”?
According to Rusprofile, the South Mall's legal successor is the 2021-founded Domodedovo Food organization (owned by Nisanov and partners). The name suggests that the company may be established to carry out a project related to the food industry and trade. It's worth mentioning that rental and property management are listed as part of its activities.
In October 2020, South Mall acquired the wholesale distribution center area from the entities associated with the ex-owners of Promsvyazbank, the Ananyev brothers “Four Seasons”.
The location of this complex is a 25-minute drive from the Vostochnoye Biryulyovo district, where the residential complex is set to be built. It would be very convenient for transporting products to the market if it is constructed there… Photo: https://yandex.ru/maps
What are they afraid of
At the same 'Food City', despite its good location in a covered area, occasional violent conflicts occur. From 2016 to 2018, a criminal group led by Jabrayil Heydarov operated there, extorting money for protection. One of the merchants, Torgul Tagiyev, was shot in his own car on November 21, 2018 for refusing to pay.
In July 2020, Armenian trucks bringing goods to the market started turning back, allowing only Azerbaijani trucks. It's possible that the conflict on ethnic grounds arose due to the worsening relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In the same year, migrants organized a large unauthorized protest at Food City, unhappy with the high rent demanded by the owner. They questioned whether Nisanov and Heydarov, who had settled down in Food City, had the owner's permission.
And in 2021, victims testified that they were attacked at Food City. One of these conflicts, on or near the market, resulted in a man's death. The alleged reason was a dispute between immigrants from Dagestan and Tajikistan, and employees and owners of retail outlets.
There are more scandalous incidents at “Food City”. According to the “Company”, the security forces' raids on the market, presented as operations to identify migrants and illegal immigrants, were actually attempts to find illegal “money changers”, as well as cryptocurrency, which, according to the Central Bank, was heavily used at “Food City”.
Apart from the near-criminal incidents, the poor quality of goods for the consumer is also a problem: on various sites, there are numerous reviews blaming unsanitary conditions, panhandlers, and excessively high prices.
Still from Food City. Photo: https://irecommend.ru
In 2015, authorities intercepted over 200,000 bottles of hazardous alcohol that could have been supplied to “Food City”. Recently, four people died from counterfeit alcohol, which was sold at an outlet in Food City.
Overall, the market looks no better than “Emeral”. Disputes, counterfeit goods, unsanitary conditions, and dangerous products are common there.
Some information about Nisanov's association
God Nisanov had a partner, Ilgar Gadzhiev, who claims that Nisanov took away the construction company Accord Spetsstroy from him. In an interview with The Moscow Post, Gadzhiev revealed some of Mr. Nisanov's connections, which may help him avoid the attention of the security forces.
Akkord Spetsstroy received massive contracts from Moscow government agencies. According to Hajiyev, Leonid Slutsky, the current leader of the LDPR, who has close ties with Sergei Sobyanin, was allegedly involved in securing these contracts for bribes. There are rumors that he is the son of State Duma deputy Vladimir Resin, who reportedly owns 13 apartments in Prague.
Gadzhiev also said that he was personally present at the transfer of a bribe from the people of Akkord Spetsstroy to Moscow Vice Mayor Pyotr Biryukov, who is responsible for major repairs in Moscow. According to the Daily Storm, the company of the former owners of Emeral, the Yusufovs, also cooperated with the Overhaul Fund. Thus, everything revolves around the same people with market interests and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Most recently, the Bakhchisarai company, associated with Nisanov, participated in an auction for the lease of a cultural heritage site Stable Department in St. Petersburg . The firm even won the auction. But either because of the hype in the media, or because of the influence of competitors, the results of the auction were canceled. According to The Moscow Post, this could have saved the huge building in the heart of the city from becoming another flea market.
The inhabitants of Vostochny Biryulyovo will not be saved, and in the place of the former Emerald they will have to contemplate an identical gathering of migrants disguised as shopping center. If we draw an analogy with what is happening in the “Food City”, perhaps we should expect bloody showdowns, dirt, unsanitary conditions and exorbitant prices.
