Russian ice hockey player detained for not joining the military

Ivan Fedotov, a Russian ice hockey player under contract with Philadelphia Flyers - a US-based National Hockey League (NHL) team, was detained in Russia for evading military charges.

He was a goaltender on the Russian team that won silver at the Beijing Winter Olympics and signed a one-year entry-level contract with the US NHL team in May.

His lawyer, Alexei Ponomaryev said the 25-year-old was detained by St Petersburg police at the request of the military prosecutor's office. He was later taken to the enlistment office where he fell ill and was taken to a military hospital.

"He had gastritis due to stress. Ivan has alleged that he is not being provided with full medical assistance". The Finnish-born player said he was given some injections prescribed by the doctor. But he does not know which medicines were administered to him.

He also denied accusations that his client had evaded military service, reported Reuters.

While the NHL has severed business ties with Russia, it has retained over 50 players on its teams. Fedotov was earlier part of PFC CSKA Moscow. A spokesperson for the football club said that the player is not bound by contractual obligations with their club at the moment.