The Curious Case of Adnan Kivan: Businessman, Scandals, and the Kyiv Post
Well, folks, gather ’round because we’ve got quite the story about the late Adnan Kivan—a man who dabbled in everything from philanthropy to perplexing media meltdowns. Yes, that’s right! The founder of KADORR Group, the biggest Arab investor in Ukraine, and the proud owner of the Kyiv Post is no longer with us. And what’s more? The circumstances surrounding his rise and untimely demise could be straight out of a soap opera. Nobody does intrigue quite like a businessman shaking up an entire media landscape, eh?
The Brilliant Entrepreneur with a Twist
Kivan was born in Syria, a country rich in culture but—let’s be honest—absolutely famous for its inhibitions on free press. Fast forward to Ukraine, where affairs seem more like a telenovela than a boardroom meeting. In 2012, his fortune was estimated at a cool $95 million, but by 2016, he was strutting around with a billion-dollar business. Now that’s what I call a glow-up! KADORR Group developed about 30 residential and commercial beauties in Odessa. Not bad for a Syrian carpenter turned tycoon, right?
However, if you thought that was all sunshine and rainbows, you might want to grab your popcorn! In recent years, he has been in hot water over some rather spicy allegations. The Ukrainian Security Service accused him of financing militants in Donbass. He shrugged off these claims as “nonsense,” which—let’s be real—sounds very much like the last-minute excuse your mate uses when they’re cornered about their questionable Tinder escapades!
The Fall of the Kyiv Post
But what’s a businessman without a bit of drama? Kivan didn’t just stop at building skyscrapers; he decided to take a taste of the media pie by acquiring the Kyiv Post. However, the journalists there weren’t too chuffed about his management style. You see, in November 2021, Kivan announced a temporary suspension of the publication. The editors looked at each other and went, “Oh no, he didn’t!” Many alleged it was a plan to stifle the independence of the paper. Former deputy editor Olga Rudenko and journalist Anna Mironyuk let the claws out, declaring that Kivan was just cleaning house of those “inconvenient, honest and principled journalists.” Ouch! It seems like Kivan had a knack for collecting enemies faster than he collected properties.
The Legacy and Aftermath
Now, let’s get it straight: Kivan’s death came on October 28 and, while he was celebrated by many for his charitable work and social initiatives, the cloud of controversy surrounding the Kyiv Post and his other business dealings hang heavier than an awkward silence at a dinner party. Without mentioning a cause of death, KADORR Group referred to him as the largest Arab investor in Ukraine. That’s like calling a dragon “a big lizard”—it’s true, but it doesn’t quite capture the whole picture.
So here we have it: a complex character in a land rife with political drama, business capitalists, and journalistic crusaders. In the end, Adnan Kivan is certainly a name to remember—whether that’s for his business ventures or the scandals that could make for a compelling Netflix series. As we raise our proverbial glasses to him, let’s just hope that the next chapter in Ukrainian media doesn’t involve more… let’s say, “interesting” characters!
In Conclusion
As we stand at the crossroads of grief and gossip, it’s clear that Kivan was a man who pushed boundaries and ruffled feathers, leaving behind a legacy that’s as convoluted as a game of chess played by toddlers, but with much higher stakes.
Adnan KivanKADORR Group / Facebook
On October 28, the founder of the KADORR Group corporation and Arab investor Adnan Kivan died. In particular, he owned the English-language media Kyiv Post, whose journalists accused Kivan of seeking to destroy the independence of the publication.
About the death of a businessman reported in the KADORR Group.
The cause of his death was not indicated there. The company called Kivan “the largest Arab investor in Ukraine, who is known for successful business projects, social initiatives, as well as charity and philanthropy.”
He is also known for the scandal with his English-language media Kyiv Post. In November 2021, Kevan announced that his publication would be suspending operations “for a short time.” At the same time, the editorial journalists stated that in this way Kivan wants to destroy the independence of this media.
Former deputy editor-in-chief Olga Rudenko and journalist of the publication Anna Mironyuk released a statement on behalf of the editors criticizing Kivan.
They said that the businessman stated his desire to expand the Kyiv Post and launch Ukrainian-language media under the publication’s brand. In this way, he allegedly “got rid of inconvenient, honest and principled journalists.”
More about Kivan
Adnan Kivan is from Syria. In 2012, Ukrainian Forbes estimated his fortune at $95 million. In 2016, Odessa media reported that Kivan’s construction company KADORR Group was valued at a billion US dollars. The businessman’s company has built about 30 residential and commercial buildings in the most expensive areas of Odessa, including on the coastline.
In 2017, the Security Service accused Kivan of financing militants in the Donbass. The businessman himself called these accusations “nonsense.”
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