Family buries Russian-born player in Canada after running out of time to bring body home

The family of a hockey player with the London Knights who passed away recently says they ran out of time to get the 18-year-old's body back to Russia for burial. Zaur Kazbekov is the father of Abakar Kazbekov, who died last Saturday. He told Ria Novatsihis son has been buried in Toronto.

"We buried Abakar in Toronto, December 22. It would have been too long to transport him to Dagestan - the holidays in Canada (Christmas), registration of all the necessary documents. I want to point out that the representatives of our consulate were very supportive," he said

"But the paperwork took too long in Canada, and according to Islamic rites the body had to be buried as soon as possible. And my family gave me permission to bury Abakar in Toronto."

There has never been an official statement from police in London, Ontario saying how Kazbekov died. However, police said he passed away in the downtown area on Saturday. That same day, police had closed down a section of street around a downtown luxury condo building where a body had been found. Foul play is not suspected.

Kazbekov came to North America three years ago at the age of 15 to further his hockey career. He was taken first overall by the Knights in the under age draft of 2021. He had been with the team for the last year and a half.

Source: Sport24.ru

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