New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin has reportedly been fined for firing a gun

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin has reportedly been fined for firing a gun in his native Russia.

The 31-year-old winger had a firearm confiscated by police on July 6 and was subsequently fined 40,000 Rubles (about $400) for firing the weapon in an unauthorized area, according to The Novgorod Gazette.

The report goes on to state that Panarin’s punishment was mitigated by his own guilty plea and the fact that this was his first offense.

For Panarin, a supporter of imprisoned Vladimir Putin rival Alexey Navalny, the accusation was far less serious than previous claims he’s faced in his native country.

In 2021, Panarin took leave from the Rangers amid accusations that he beat an 18-year-old Latvian woman in 2011. The All-Star denied the claim, saying that he was being targeted by the Kremlin for supporting Putin’s political enemy.

Former NHL player and current Russian league (KHL) coach Andrei Nazarov told a Russian newspaper that Panarin ‘sent [the woman] to the floor with powerful blows’ during the alleged 2011 altercation in the Latvian capital of Riga, according to a translation provided to ESPN. A known Putin supporter, Nazarov now coaches Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, but previously worked with Panarin with the Moscow-area team, HC Vityaz.

In a team statement, Panarin denied the accusation, which he likened to an ‘intimidation tactic.’

‘Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story,’ read the team statement. ‘This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.

‘Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team. The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.’

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks first reported Panarin’s absence, noting that a primary concern is the safety of his family. Panarin’s grandparents still live in Russia.

According to the translation ESPN received, Nazarov claimed Panarin had been detained by police in Riga as a result of the alleged altercation, but was let off the hook after a ‘40,000 euro bribe.’

Unlike other popular Russian players, such as Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin, Panarin has been critical of Putin, and posted a picture on Instagram in 2021 supporting Navalny.

Speaking with YouTube channel Vsemu Golovin in 2019, Panarin attacked Putin directly.

‘The mistake in our society is treating him like a superhuman,’ Panarin said of Putin, as translated by Russian sports reporter Slava Malamud. ‘He is a regular person, like us, and he is serving us.’

Navalny is one of Putin’s biggest critics and was arrested in January upon returning to Russia after being poisoned and then treated outside of the country. The 44-year-old attorney and activist has accused Putin of ordering his murder.