Exclusive | DWTS pro Artem Chigvintsev rebuts Nikki Garcias restraining order, gets one against her: I was not the primary aggressor

Artem Chigvintsev was granted a restraining order against his estranged wife, Nikki Bella (aka Nikki Garcia), on Thursday, the same day she was granted a protective order against him, The Post can exclusively reveal. The competing restraining orders stem from an August altercation between the then-couple that led to Chigvintsev’s arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.The former “Dancing With the Stars” pro was ultimately not charged. In a statement given exclusively to The Post on Chigvintsev’s behalf by his lawyer, Ilona Antonyan, Chigvintsev denies Bella’s allegations that he tackled her and insists “he was not the primary aggressor.”“It is crucial to consider the motivations of both parties in this situation,” Antonyan said.“Mr.

Chigvintsev contacted law enforcement on 8/29/24 seeking protection from his wife’s persistent aggression.While he was on the phone with the police, Ms.

Garcia-Colace made a pointed statement, saying, ‘Do you understand where this is going now, Artem? You just ruined my career, and you know it.'”Antonyan continued, “That day, someone was going to be arrested, and it wouldn’t have been Mr.Chigvintsev if Ms.

Garcia Colace had told the truth.”“[Chigvintsev] denies ever tackling her.He was shocked to learn two weeks after the incident that she made this allegation against him; at that point it made sense to him why he was arrested.”The dance pro’s lawyer went on, “As a result of wife’s self-serving statement, Mr.

Chigvintsev’s career suffered, with numerous opportunities being canceled due to these false allegations.Men can also be victims of domestic violence; Mr.

Chigvintsev’s case highlights this reality.He was not the primary aggressor.”In his complaint obtained by The Post, Chigvintsev, 42, agreed with what Bella stated in her petition, that their altercation began with a fight over their 4-year-old son, Matteo, and his breakfast, though each tell a different version of events.

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