Ghent University has suspended US academic Nathan Cofnas and opened a preliminary disciplinary investigation after he led plagiarism accusations against Jason Arday, a Cambridge professor found dead last week at age 41.
Cofnas, a self-described "race realist" who left Cambridge in 2024 amid racism allegations, wrote on X that he expected to be fired. The Belgian university said it suspended him as a precautionary measure and is assessing whether to launch full disciplinary proceedings. The US ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, criticised the suspension and said Washington would review any ties to the university.
Arday, who became Cambridge's youngest-ever black professor in 2023, resigned on 5 August citing unbearable pressure. His family described a bullying campaign, while police said his death was not treated as suspicious.