Ivan Fedotov, ice hockey goalkeeper considered a star in Russia, has been arrested by order of the Kremlin after signing for a US team.
As reported by the
Fontanka
news portal , the athlete was arrested this past weekend and has been accused of skipping military service and compulsory recruitment.
The Russian government, which is incorporating citizens into the army to continue the invasion of Ukraine, points to the signing of the goalkeeper as an act of desertion.
Fedotov left CSKA Moscow in June, the team to which he belongs, to sign for the next season by the American team Philadelphia Flyers, who was going to pay him one million euros per year.
It so happens that CSKA Moscow has strong links with the Russian Armed Forces.
For legal purposes, such is the union of the team with the army that all its players are considered military.
This reality is the reason why the player is committing a crime.
Before he could leave Russia for the US, Fedotov was detained by several plainclothes policemen and taken to the St. Petersburg army enlistment office.
The player's arrest could have been orchestrated from within the team itself in collaboration with the army and the police.
After his arrest, the goalkeeper was hospitalized due to severe stomach pains caused by the stress of his complicated situation.
Fedotov is currently at the Severomorsk naval post and could be sentenced to up to two years in prison.
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