Larry Brooks has reported that Artemiy Panarin is taking a leave of absence from the team following the release of a story in Russia which alleges he “beat up” an 18-year-old girl in Latvia back in 2011.
Breaking news: Panarin is taking a leave of absence from NYR in aftermath of political hit piece against him from Russia alleging that he beat up an 18-year-old girl in Russia in 2011.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 22, 2021
Retribution was feared after Panarin's Instagram post on 1/21 in support of opposition leader Alexi Navalny with caption "Freedom for Navalny.