Russian hockey player Ivan Fedotov recently signed a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, an American hockey team. However, he was very recently detained in St. Petersburg and taken to a military enlistment office for charges the Russian authorities claim to be draft evasion.
According to Fontaka, a Russian news outlet, the prosecuting office believes there are grounds to “consider Fedotov an army evader.” On the other hand, his personal lawyer, Alexey Ponomarev, denied all charges against his client. Although, Ponomarev also added that “In Russia, all men between 18 and 27 are required to complete one year of military service, with some exemptions. Evasion of conscription can be punishable by heavy fines and sentences of up to two years in prison.”
At 25 years of age, Fedotov was born in Finland but grew up in Russia and played hockey most of his childhood. In 2014, he started playing professionally, and just last year, he started playing with CSKA Moscow, a team with a history of ties with the Russian army. It is also one of the top teams in Russia’s premier hockey league.
Fedotov previously played in the Beijing Winter Olympics for the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), helping his team receive a silver medal. That win was how he caught the Philadelphia Flyers’ attention.
“Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development,” said Chuck Fletcher, Philadelphia’s president of hockey operations and general manager. “He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the KHL, culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a KHL Championship.”
The Philadelphia Flyers have also commented on what is currently happening with Fedotov: “We’re aware of the reports and are investigating the situation.” said Fletcher.
At the same time, Fedotov was being detained, American basketball star Brittney Griner’s trial began in Russia. Since February, she has been arrested and held in Russia for supposed charges of bringing vape cartridges to a Russian airport. Supporters of the basketball player say that Russia is holding her to get back at America for supporting Ukraine in the war.
According to Fontaka, a Russian news outlet, the prosecuting office believes there are grounds to “consider Fedotov an army evader.” On the other hand, his personal lawyer, Alexey Ponomarev, denied all charges against his client. Although, Ponomarev also added that “In Russia, all men between 18 and 27 are required to complete one year of military service, with some exemptions. Evasion of conscription can be punishable by heavy fines and sentences of up to two years in prison.”
At 25 years of age, Fedotov was born in Finland but grew up in Russia and played hockey most of his childhood. In 2014, he started playing professionally, and just last year, he started playing with CSKA Moscow, a team with a history of ties with the Russian army. It is also one of the top teams in Russia’s premier hockey league.
Fedotov previously played in the Beijing Winter Olympics for the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), helping his team receive a silver medal. That win was how he caught the Philadelphia Flyers’ attention.
“Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development,” said Chuck Fletcher, Philadelphia’s president of hockey operations and general manager. “He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the KHL, culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a KHL Championship.”
The Philadelphia Flyers have also commented on what is currently happening with Fedotov: “We’re aware of the reports and are investigating the situation.” said Fletcher.
At the same time, Fedotov was being detained, American basketball star Brittney Griner’s trial began in Russia. Since February, she has been arrested and held in Russia for supposed charges of bringing vape cartridges to a Russian airport. Supporters of the basketball player say that Russia is holding her to get back at America for supporting Ukraine in the war.
