TO Russian hockey player in Poland’s top league he was arrested earlier this month after authorities accused him of belonging to a spy ring paid to gather intelligence, authorities said Friday.
Clubs and a puck photographed during a matchup between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers on April 4, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The player, uniquely identified as someone who plays in Polish First League and resident in the country since 2021, was arrested on June 11, reported the National Prosecutor’s Office.
«In the course of the investigation, it was determined that the detainee was a professional athlete of the first league club,» a translation of the officials’ statement said.
KAMIL MAJCHRZAK FROM POLAND, FACING A FOUR-YEAR SUSPENSION FOR A POSITIVE DRUG TEST, HIT WITH A 13-MONTH BAN
Pucks on the ice in warm ups before the start of a game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes on October 8, 2005 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
«In Poland, he carried out activities related, among others, to the identification of critical infrastructure in several (provinces). He kept his clients informed about the results of the reconnaissance, for which he received remuneration. The detained citizen of the Russian Federation has been staying in Poland since October 2021.»
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The suspect was believed to belong to a spy network «cooperating with Russian special services,» authorities said.
He was the 14th suspect arrested during the authority’s investigation into that network.
Poland’s Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro speaks to journalists in Warsaw, Poland, on September 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)
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«Russian spies are falling one by one!» said Zbigniew Ziobro, the justice minister and chief prosecutor. «A spy operating under the guise of an athlete was caught.»
The hockey player faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Associated Press contributed to this report.