PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, November 30. /TASS/. Police on the Kamchatka peninsula of Russia’s Far East have detained a man who defected from the army in 2004 and has been hiding in woods for 11 years, a police spokeswoman said on Monday.

The 30-year-old from the south Russian city of Taganrog was conscripted in 2003 and put on a wanted list after defection. His family later identified him among dead bodies in Taganrog and a funeral was held.

"The man told police he had built a small house from old construction materials near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. He was collecting berries and mushrooms and scrap metal, worked at a swine farm and went fishing to earn his living," the spokesperson said.

The man may face no punishment as the crime was committed 11 years ago, the spokeswoman added.