Global Courant
A Russian hockey player in Poland’s top league was arrested earlier this month after officials accused him of being part of a network of spies paid to collect intelligence, officials said Friday.
Sticks and a puck photographed during a showdown 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, identified only as someone who plays in Poland’s top division and has lived in the country since 2021, was arrested on June 11, the national prosecutor’s office said.
“During the investigation, it was determined that the detainee was a professional athlete from the first division team,” said a translation of the statement from officials.
KAMIL MAJCHRZAK IN POLAND, TO BE SUSPENDED FOR FOUR YEARS FOR A POSITIVE DRUG TEST, TO BE BANNED FOR 13 MONTHS
Pucks on the ice in warmups prior to the start of a game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes October 8, 2005, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
“In Poland, he carried out work on mapping vital infrastructure in several (provinces). He kept his clients informed of the results of the explorations, for which he received a fee. The detained citizen of the Russian Federation has been residing in Poland since October 2021.”
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The suspect was believed to belong to a network of spies who “cooperated with the Russian special services,” officials said.
He was the 14th suspect detained during the authority’s investigation into that network.
Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro addresses reporters in Warsaw, Poland, September 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)
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“Russian spies are attacking 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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
