Russian Hockey Star Released On Bail

Russian ice hockey goaltender Semyon Varlamov (file photo)

Russian ice hockey goalie Semyon Varlamov was released from jail after posting a $5,000 bond on October 31 in Denver, the U.S. state of Colorado.

He is facing charges of abusing his girlfriend. The 25-year-old Varlamov, who plays for the Colorado Avalanche in North America's National Hockey League, had turned himself in to police the previous evening after practicing with the team that day.

He is facing kidnapping and assault charges.

His Russian girlfriend, Yevgenia Vavrinyuk, told investigators that Varlamov knocked her down by kicking her in the chest and then stomped on her chest as she lay on the floor in her apartment on October 28.

She also accused Varlamov of dragging her by her hair and telling her that he would have beaten her more if they had been in Russia.


Based on reporting by AP and Reuters