Artem Chigvinstev is restricted from coming near Nikki Garcia after the court granted her a restraining order ahead of an Oct. 21 hearing over an alleged domestic violence incident
After Artem Chigvinstev was arrested for alleged domestic violence, his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia, filed for a restraining order against the dancer.
On Sept. 11, Nikki initially filed a dissolution of marriage with a California court. About two weeks later, she followed up her divorce filing with a request for a request for a domestic violence restraining order. She was granted a temporary restraining order while the court hashed out the potential details on Sept. 30.
Artem then responded with an Oct. 3 request for a restraining order which he was also granted as a temporary measure. Both matters are set to be discussed in an Oct. 21 hearing, according to court records reviewed by The Mirror.
A representative for Nikki told Us Weekly: “Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son. Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected.
( Image: Getty Images)
“Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time.”
Court documents obtained by TMZ reportedly detailed two separate altercations. She claimed Artem “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present,” in the court documents.
The Dancing With The Stars alum was arrested in late August over alleged domestic battery. He was booked into jail with a $25,000 bond under a California statute that defines “any person who willfully inflicts upon a person who is his or her spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or the mother or father of his or her child, corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition” as “guilty of a felony.” He was not charged.
( Image: theartemc/Instagram)
The District Attorney noted they “declined to file criminal charges against Artem Chigvintsev” in a press release. Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said: “While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence. We are required to prove any and every criminal charge ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system. If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.”
The case was not closed in totality as if law enforcement “learns of other incidents, or otherwise learns of facts or evidence not previously known” as long as its provided within the statute of limitations. So, while no charges have been filed yet, the case remains open.
After the incident, in a statement to E! News, Artem said: “I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
The Mirror contacted representatives for Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia for comment.