January 17, 2025
Canadian regulators have revoked the license of an Ontario dentist after a Canadian news outlet reported he was practicing under a Jewish name he adopted after his conviction in the United States for helping Iran evade sanctions.
Dr. Aurash Cohen is no longer entitled to practice in the province, according to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, which said it canceled his certification November 20. He entered Canada named Arash Yousefijam. The dental college said those applying to practice in Ontario are required to demonstrate that their past and present conduct gives confidence they will go about their work “with decency, integrity and honesty and in accordance with the law.”
A college spokesperson said dentists seeking certification are “required to disclose their criminal conduct history, in any jurisdiction, on their application for registration in Ontario.” The decision came six weeks after Global News reported that “Dr. Cohen” was, in fact, Arash Yousefijam, who pleaded guilty in 2021 in the United States to running an Iran sanctions dodging scheme.
Together with his brother, Amin Yousefijam, he exported sensitive manufacturing equipment to Iran. The Yousefijams pleaded guilty and were sentenced to time served. The US then returned them to Canada, where they used the relatively simple Ontario name change system to become Aurash and Ameen Cohen.
Under their adopted identities, Aurash Cohen graduated from McGill University and became a dentist in June, while Ameen Cohen was hired as a corporate compliance officer