Last Friday, Ivan Fedotov, a Russian hockey player, was detained on charges that he planned to avoid military service.
Fedotov was born in Finland but grew up in Russia. He spent last year with CSKA Moscow, a team witha history with the Russian army. It is also one of the top club teams in Russia’s premier hockey league, K.H.L.
Fedotov was arrested at a St. Petersburg hockey rink and taken to an enlistment office. Young Russian men between the ages of of18 and 27 are required to complete a year of military service. Evasion is punishable with fines and up to two years in prison. A spokesman for the National Hockey League said the league was aware of the situation but did not comment further.
Fedotov’s lawyer, Alexei Ponomaryev, denied that the hockey player evaded conscription. He said that since Friday, Fedotov has suffered from gastritis due to stress and has complained of receiving inadequate care in the military hospital.
Ponomaryev said that neither he nor Fedotov’s parents had been permitted to see the hockey player. He also said, “Recently, the military police entered the territory of the hospital. I introduced myself to them, said that I was a lawyer, and asked what issue they had come for. They turned around, got into the car, and did not give any more comments until they were let into the hospital grounds.”
Chuck Fletcher, president of Philadelphia’s hockey operations and general manager, said in a statement that the Flyers “are aware of the reports and are investigating the situation.” He also said, “Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development. He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the K.H.L., culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a K.H.L. Championship.”
Fedotov’s lawyer said, “Ivan was sent in the night to Severomorsk. He was transferred to a hospital, but I have no more information.” That was the latest update. Fedotov’s career future looks uncertain, but many are still supporting him and wish him well in the military.
Fedotov was born in Finland but grew up in Russia. He spent last year with CSKA Moscow, a team witha history with the Russian army. It is also one of the top club teams in Russia’s premier hockey league, K.H.L.
Fedotov was arrested at a St. Petersburg hockey rink and taken to an enlistment office. Young Russian men between the ages of of18 and 27 are required to complete a year of military service. Evasion is punishable with fines and up to two years in prison. A spokesman for the National Hockey League said the league was aware of the situation but did not comment further.
Fedotov’s lawyer, Alexei Ponomaryev, denied that the hockey player evaded conscription. He said that since Friday, Fedotov has suffered from gastritis due to stress and has complained of receiving inadequate care in the military hospital.
Ponomaryev said that neither he nor Fedotov’s parents had been permitted to see the hockey player. He also said, “Recently, the military police entered the territory of the hospital. I introduced myself to them, said that I was a lawyer, and asked what issue they had come for. They turned around, got into the car, and did not give any more comments until they were let into the hospital grounds.”
Chuck Fletcher, president of Philadelphia’s hockey operations and general manager, said in a statement that the Flyers “are aware of the reports and are investigating the situation.” He also said, “Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development. He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the K.H.L., culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a K.H.L. Championship.”
Fedotov’s lawyer said, “Ivan was sent in the night to Severomorsk. He was transferred to a hospital, but I have no more information.” That was the latest update. Fedotov’s career future looks uncertain, but many are still supporting him and wish him well in the military.
