Stéphane Adam Backs Claims of Secret Intel Passed to Sithanen Before Election

A political controversy in Mauritius has deepened after Stéphane Adam — a key figure in the so-called Menlo Park affair — confirmed allegations that Ken Arian, former advisor to ex-Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and former CEO of Airports Holding Ltd (AHL), passed sensitive information to Tevin Sithanen shortly before the last general election. The claims were first made publicly by Aditi Boolell during the television programme *L'Heure du Débat* on Wednesday 16 July. Boolell alleged that the information shared between Arian and Tevin Sithanen — son of former Finance Minister Rama Sithanen — was the source of multiple ongoing investigations by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), Mauritius's main body tasked with investigating financial crime and corruption. "A lot of things that were happening are slowly coming to light," Boolell said, speaking in Mauritian Creole. When pressed for evidence, she pointed to a document attributed to Stéphane Adam. In a statement to ION News on Friday morning, Adam confirmed Boolell's account of an alleged collaboration involving Ken Arian. He also introduced a new and significant detail: the existence of what he described as "K Notes" — reportedly documents or recorded exchanges — between the Sithanen family and Ken Arian. The nature and contents of these "K Notes" have not yet been made public, but their mention is likely to intensify scrutiny of all the individuals involved. **Who Are the Key Figures?** - **Ken Arian** served as a close advisor to former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and as CEO of Airports Holding Ltd, the state company that oversees Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. He has not publicly responded to these allegations. - **Rama Sithanen** is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Mauritius who resigned amid controversy linked to audio recordings that emerged earlier this year. - **Tevin Sithanen**, his son, faces a provisional charge connected to those same recordings. - **Stéphane Adam** is himself a central figure in the Menlo Park affair — a separate but related controversy — and has previously been at the centre of leaked audio tape scandals. - **Aditi Boolell** is a political commentator and activist who has been vocal about alleged misconduct in the previous government. **What Boolell Alleged About Arian's Motive** Boolell painted a picture of calculated self-interest, attributing the following logic to Arian: "I am close to the government, but the day before there's a risk of a change, I go and give information — I sell it for protection." This framing suggests the alleged information-sharing was motivated by a desire to secure political cover ahead of a potential change in government — an accusation that, if proven, would carry serious legal and political consequences. **What This Means** The FCC, established under the current government to investigate financial crimes, has been conducting several high-profile probes. If Boolell's claim — now backed by Adam — is correct, it raises questions about how those investigations were triggered and whether the process was influenced by politically motivated intelligence-sharing. The mention of "K Notes" adds a documentary dimension to what had previously been largely oral allegations, potentially making this controversy harder to dismiss. Source: ION News