Owner of Gulbahar Sentenced for Corruption

The business owner of Gulbahar Center and Towers, Gulbahar Habibi, and two of his associates were sentenced to six years in prison, while the head of a group of forgers was sentenced to 18 years, head of the Anti Corruption Tribunal, General Abu Bakar, told TOLOnews.

Habibi was charged with paying US$150,000 for a forger to sign the first vice president Qasim Fahim’s name on the Centre’s construction papers.

The head of the group of forgers, Rais Mohammad, who also forged the signature of the second vice president Karim Khalili, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, Bakar said.

Habibi’s associates, “mafia members Ghulam Qader and Ataulhaq are sentenced to six years of imprisonment,” Bakar said.

Gulbahar Centre was built three years ago in the heart of Kabul and is currently one of the major and most modern mall and business centers in Kabul.

Based on the investigation, the deeds of Gulbahar Center were registered under Farida Farnood, wife of Shir Khan Farnood, the former chairman of Kabul Bank.

Shir Khan Farnood, considered one of the major players of the Kabul Bank’s bankruptcy, was accused of embezzling US$500 million.

The income earned from the Gulhbahar Center will be reimbursed to what Farnood owes Kabul Bank.

The Anti Corruption Tribunal is awaiting decisions about Habibi’s other properties by the Supreme Court.

“We have asked the Supreme to Court to decide about Gulbahar Habibi’s properties and there will be a decision soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Anti Corruption Tribunal head said investigations about a $35 million embezzlement of Kabul money and former chairman of Pashtany Bank Hayatullah Dayani and 13 others were pending.