Ivan Fedotov detained in Russia
While the 2022-23 National Hockey League season is still months away, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov has been all over the news after allegedly being detained in Russia for evading military service. Russian media outlets had been reporting that the Finnish-born Russian was detained at the request of the military prosecutor’s office on Friday in St. Petersburg.
For the moment, the Flyers aren’t saying very much on the whole situation though.
“We’re aware of the reports and are investigating the situation. We have no further comment at this time,” Flyers President of Hockey Operations Chuck Fletcher said in a statement, via CNN.
Fedotov’s lawyer, Alexey Ponomarev, has been adamantly defending his client though since the allegations first emerged, denying that he evaded any military service.
“At this moment, we can’t say exactly how things are. He was in the hospital, at least in fact, but for some reason he was not listed as the other patients,” Ponomarev stated in an interview with Russian state media RIA Novosti.
“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.
“Since then, we have not heard anything. As far as I understand, they want to transfer him in a serious condition to some kind of military investigative body. While he argues as best he can that this is not necessary, but events are developing rapidly, now he does not get in touch.”
In Russia, it is mandatory that all men between the ages of 18 and 27 complete at least one year of military service, with some limited exceptions. Punishment for not completing military service can include massive fines or up to two years in prison.
“It is difficult to predict his fate,” Ponomarev continued. “He was on the territory of the city military registration and enlistment office, but he is registered with the military in Moscow. They found his registration certificate, but he lives in Vsevolozhsk. That is, he has nothing to do with the city military registration and enlistment office.
“Also yesterday, information about his presence there was concealed in every possible way, despite the fact that he had a phone and informed his relatives that he was there. The employees of the military commissariat were informed that a complaint had been filed with the court and the decision had been suspended.
“The court must resolve this issue, but the conscription procedure was violate. It is strictly described in the law. It is clear that this is not as simple as that. Judging by the last contact with him, he does not feel very well,” Ponomarev concluded.
The 25-year-old was drafted by the Flyers in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but only signed a one-year entry level deal with the club in May. He represented Russia at the 2022 Winter Olympics, helping his country earn a silver medal.
