A graduate of Harvard University, once facing accusations of assault during a heated campus protest, has now been brought onto the university’s payroll. Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, who completed his studies at Harvard Divinity School, began a new position as a graduate teaching fellow this August, a role that places him within the heart of the academic institution.
The circumstances surrounding his hiring are steeped in controversy. Last October, amidst a highly charged “die-in” protest following the Hamas attacks, Tettey-Tamaklo was filmed confronting a first-year Harvard Business School student, Yoav Segev, who was attempting to document the demonstration.
The encounter escalated, leading to misdemeanor assault and battery charges. Court documents revealed allegations that Tettey-Tamaklo physically impeded Segev’s ability to film, contributing to a tense and volatile atmosphere on campus.
To resolve the case, a Boston court mandated Tettey-Tamaklo complete anger management, participate in a Harvard negotiation course, and dedicate eighty hours to community service. Following fulfillment of these requirements, the charges were ultimately dismissed in November 2024.
Despite the legal proceedings and the public attention they garnered, Harvard allowed Tettey-Tamaklo to continue his studies uninterrupted. This decision ultimately paved the way for his recent appointment as a graduate teaching fellow, a position that includes advising faculty on curriculum and potentially a stipend of up to $11,000.
The incident initially drew scrutiny from the Trump administration, which urged Harvard to investigate and potentially expel those involved, warning that federal funding could be at risk if the campus wasn’t free from harassment. Harvard responded by removing Tettey-Tamaklo from a proctor position, citing “student discomfort,” but stopped short of further academic sanctions.
Tettey-Tamaklo wasn’t the only student facing charges. Ibrahim Bharmal, a Harvard Law School graduate who also participated in the protest, received similar accusations. He, too, continued to receive support from the university, later securing a $65,000 fellowship with the Harvard Law Review.
Both Tettey-Tamaklo and Bharmal consistently maintained their innocence, claiming no physical contact occurred with Segev. They also alleged racially biased policing by the Harvard University Police Department during the incident.
Police reports, however, indicated that protesters had deliberately pressed against Segev to obstruct his camera, identifying Tettey-Tamaklo, Bharmal, and another individual as being particularly aggressive in their actions. The conflicting accounts fueled further debate and division.
Yoav Segev has since filed a federal lawsuit against Harvard, alleging the university failed to protect him and actively obstructed his attempts to pursue disciplinary action against his alleged assailants. He claims Harvard employed “misleading tactics” that hindered his ability to seek justice through administrative channels.
The case highlights the complex challenges universities face when navigating politically charged protests and allegations of misconduct, raising questions about accountability, student safety, and the balance between free speech and a secure learning environment.
