Iran-born Yale scholar fired over allegations of working with terrorist-tied ‘sham charity’
A Yale University Law School associate research scholar was terminated after failing to disclose information about her alleged ties to the Samidoun Network, a Canada-based group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. Helyeh Doutaghi, an Iranian-born scholar, was fired on Friday, three weeks after being placed on administrative leave following allegations that she was connected to the Samidoun Network, which is classified as a “sham charity” by the federal government for its ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Yale University spokesperson Alden Ferro stated that over the past three weeks, the university had repeatedly attempted to meet with Doutaghi and her attorney to gather clarifying information and address the situation. However, Doutaghi refused to cooperate and respond to critical questions, including whether she had engaged in prohibited activities with organizations or individuals on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list. As a result of her lack of cooperation, the university made the decision to terminate her employment, effective immediately.
Doutaghi was appointed as the deputy director of the Law and Political Economy (LPE) Project at Yale University in October 2023. Her research focuses on the intersections of Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), incorporating Marxian and postcolonial critiques of law, sanctions, and international political economy. She is also an incoming post-doctoral fellow at the University of Tehran, where she plans to complete her manuscript on the Iranian sanctions regime and neoliberalism.
The allegations against Doutaghi were initially brought to light by Jewish Onliner, a Substack platform “Empowered by A.I. capabilities.” Doutaghi expressed frustration with the lack of due process and reasonable time to consult with her attorney following the university’s decision to place her on leave based on the allegations.
The termination of Doutaghi comes at a time when the Trump administration has been cracking down on allegations of antisemitism at Ivy League schools. In response to anti-Israel protests on campuses, the administration has taken action to protect law and order, investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism, and deport Hamas sympathizers. Columbia University, another Ivy League institution, recently faced repercussions from the Trump administration, as $400 million in federal funding was revoked due to the university’s handling of anti-Israel protests on campus.
As the administration continues to address allegations of antisemitism and terrorist ties within academic institutions, the landscape of higher education is undergoing significant changes. It is crucial for universities and scholars to uphold transparency and cooperation in addressing such allegations to maintain academic integrity and ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students and faculty members.
