Two Brothers Convicted of Violating Sanctions Against the Islamic Republic in the U.S. Live Under New Identities in Canada

Two brothers who were convicted in the U.S. for helping the Islamic Republic of Iran evade sanctions have been allowed to legally obtain new identities in Ontario. According to 'Global News', Amin and Arash Yousefi-Jam were convicted in the fall of 2021 in Michigan for using shell companies to illegally export sensitive equipment related to production to Iran. The report states that in early 2015, Amin Yousefi-Jam, Arash, and a third person in Iran named Abdollah Momeni used a shell company to contact American companies to purchase and export materials that were sanctioned in response to the Islamic Republic's nuclear and military programs and its role in terrorism and human rights violations. These purchases were made through accounts in banks located in foreign countries. The shipments were then transferred to the United Arab Emirates and illegally sent to Iran. The two brothers then returned to Ontario, where they had previously lived, and requested to change their names to Amin and Arash (with different English spellings) Cohen. The province accepted their request in April 2022. 'Global News' reported, citing government documents, that when these two brothers changed their identities, they were still serving part of their sentence, which included a one-year supervised release. Arash Yousefi-Jam, 36, registered as a dentist under his new name and moved to Ottawa as 'Dr. Avresh Cohen'. The Royal College of Dentists of Ontario stated that it is reviewing the matter. His 37-year-old brother Amin also worked as an inspector at an international company in Richmond Hill. Property documents show that Amin Cohen purchased a house in this city in 2022. Despite Amin Yousefi-Jam not being a Canadian citizen and the Canada Border Services Agency attempting to deport him for evading Iranian sanctions, the province issued his name change certificate. According to Ontario law, those seeking to change their names must provide details of their convictions and records and cannot seek a new identity for 'improper purposes'. Despite having a new name, Amin Yousefi-Jam could not escape the Canada Border Services, which has now sent his case for deportation to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. In written responses sent to the Canada Border Services, Amin described his role in this illegal export as 'minimal' and stated he learned a lesson from this experience. He wrote in an email to immigration officials: 'I only forwarded a few emails at my brother's request.' His brother Arash, as a Canadian citizen, cannot be deported. 'Global News' quoted Arash Yousefi-Jam as saying that the two legally changed their names because they wanted to start a 'new life'. Documents filed by the Canada Border Services in relation to Amin Yousefi-Jam's deportation case indicate that immigration enforcement officials have claimed he undermined the Canadian government's efforts to mitigate threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The European Union has increased sanctions on Russia; evading sanctions becomes more difficult. The U.S. Treasury Department warns of the financial activities of terrorist organizations supported by the Iranian government. The U.S. sanctioned five individuals for 'evading Hezbollah sanctions'. Two individuals in the U.S. confessed to violating U.S. sanctions by receiving Khums for Khamenei. The White House stated that there are no plans to lift, exempt, or reduce sanctions against the Islamic Republic.