The Ontario government is looking into reforming the sibling name change system convicted In the United States, by helping Iran evade sanctions, they were able to legally adopt new identities in the province.
Matthew D’Amico, spokesman for Todd McCarthy, the minister responsible for the name change registry, said: “The ability to change a person’s name should not be a loophole to escape justice.”
“Allowing perpetrators of serious crimes to hide their identities not only undermines the integrity of our justice system, but also poses a significant risk to our communities.”
On Wednesday, Global News reported that Ontario had allowed it Amen and Arash Yousefjam to change their names just months after being sentenced in Michigan for evading penalties.
The province approved their new identities, Amin and Orash Cohen, in April 2022, even though they were still serving part of their sentence and Canada was trying to deport one of the brothers.
Using his new name, Arash Yosefgam, 36, became a dentist and went to work in Ottawa as Dr. Orash Cohen. The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario said it is looking into the matter.
His brother, 37, got a job as a financial compliance officer at an international company in Richmond Hill, Ont. Real estate records show that Amin Cohen bought a home in the city in 2022.
Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, made an announcement on January 29, 2024.
Don Curran/Global News
In response to questions Friday about the case, D’Amico said in a statement that the county will look for ways to prevent those convicted of serious crimes from obtaining new identities.
He added: “We will explore options to prevent individuals guilty of serious crimes under criminal law and violations of international sanctions, including terrorism-related crimes, from legally changing their names.”
“As we do this work, we also need the federal government to close the loopholes in the immigration system that allow individuals with criminal backgrounds and penalties to enter Canada.”
The case arose as Canada uses sanctions to contain Iran as it attempts to destabilize the Middle East and lead an “axis of resistance” that includes the terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthis.
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The Immigration and Refugee Board was scheduled to begin a deportation hearing for Amin Yousfejam on October 28, on the grounds that he poses a risk to Canada’s security.
Details about the brothers’ name changes are included in hundreds of pages of public documents entered by the Canada Border Services Agency as an exhibit in the case.
Name change certificates issued to brothers convicted of evading sanctions imposed on Iran.
Immigration and Refugee Board
The Canada Border Services Agency argues that Amin Yousfejam, by illegally shipping sensitive manufacturing equipment to Iran, undermined Canada’s efforts to contain the threat posed by the regime.
It contributed to “an increased security threat to Canada related to terrorism and nuclear weapons attack,” the CBSA wrote in its report.
“Mr. Yousvigam’s activities have directly harmed the Canadian government’s efforts with respect to its foreign policy objectives toward Iran.
Although his lawyers tried to prevent the press from attending his deportation hearing, Global News resisted the request and won. They refused to comment. Arash Yosefgam did not respond to questions.
But in an earlier phone call, he described his US conviction for evading sanctions as “just some of the legal issues I faced” and said the brothers had changed their names “because we want to start a new life”.
Ontario court records show CIBC filed suit on July 11, alleging he owed them a personal line of credit of $358,006 and had failed to make minimum payments.
According to a report released this week, Canada has become an “attractive target” for procurement networks that help Iran evade international sanctions.
“Canada’s approach to Iran and its proxies demonstrates vigilance and contradictions,” the report from George Washington University’s Program on Extremism said.
“On the one hand, the country has implemented tough measures, including designating Iran as a state supporting terrorism and imposing significant sanctions on several Iranian individuals and entities.”
“However, the continued presence of high-level individuals and the influence of Iranian networks inside the country reveals a certain degree of leniency,” said the report, titled Propaganda, Procurement, and Lethal Operations: Iran’s Activities Inside America.
Police shot of Arash Yosefgam, now known as Orash Cohen.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office
Youssefjam’s family immigrated to Canada from Iran. Arash Yousefjam arrived first, and his brother came three years later, in July 2016, under the Skilled Worker Programme.
In April 2020, the United States filed a sealed indictment against them, alleging that they used front companies to purchase sensitive goods for Iran.
Arash Yousfejam was arrested when he flew from Toronto to North Carolina in December 2020. Based on a US extradition request, the Toronto Police Fugitive Squad arrested Amin Yousfejam on January 21, 2021.
Both pleaded guilty to what the United States called “deeply disturbing” allegations. The prosecution demanded a “severe prison sentence” for Amin Youssefjam.
“The defendant’s conduct here knowingly and intentionally undermines the U.S. sanctions regime and threatens the security of the United States by supporting a state sponsor of terrorism,” they said.
They were sentenced to time served, plus a year of supervised release. US immigration authorities then returned them to Canada, where they quickly changed their names.
After they changed their names, Youssefjam wrote to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada asking for a new permanent resident card in the name of Amin Cohen, records show.
Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca
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