Convicted in U.S. of violating Iran sanctions, brothers adopt new identities in Ontario | Globalnews.ca

Amin and Arash Yousefijam were sentenced in Michigan in the fall of 2021 for using shell companies to illegally export sensitive manufacturing equipment to Iran .

They applied to change their names to Ameen and Aurash Cohen in Ontario in April 2022 .

Arash, 36 , became a registered dentist and went to work in Ottawa as Dr. Aurash Co. He said the duo legally changed their names because “we want to start a new life” As a naturalized Canadian citizen, Arash cannot be deported.

Amin Yousefijam , Arash and a third conspirator in Iran , Abdollah Momeni Roustani , used a shell company to run a “cross-stuffing’ scheme.

They approached U.S. manufacturers to purchase and export materials restricted by sanctions put in place in response to Iran ’s nuclear and weapons programs, role in terrorism and human rights abuses.

Both brothers pleaded guilty to what the US . called “deeply disturbing” allegations.

Yousefijam described his role in the illicit exports as “minimal” and said he had learned from the experience.

“I only forwarded a few emails at the request of my brother,” he wrote in his submissions to immigration enforcement authorities.

He says he had no intention of undermining Canadian security and cooperated with U.S. authorities.

CBSA was not moved by his statement.