A criminal case for attacking a hockey player is opened against actor Alexander Pal

A drunken skirmish took place on April 23 in the center of Moscow, Gazeta.ru reports. According to the hockey player Kevin Antipov, he was attacked by three unknown persons who "crept up to him unnoticed and dealt a powerful blow". In one of the unknown, the athlete recognized the actor Alexander Pal. According to Antipov, he "behaved inadequately", probably under the influence of drugs. During the fight, Antipov received bruises, a fracture of his jaw, nose and orbital bone. He is now in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at a specialized hospital. Among the friends who were with Pal at the time of the attack are the writer and journalist Mikhail Zygar.

There is another version of what happened. As it became known to the telegram channel 112, the victim himself provoked the fight. The hockey player that day celebrated his father's birthday and was drunk.

After the first reports, Alexander Pal denied his involvement in the incident. His lawyer argued that the actor had nothing to confess. Later it became known that the actor was detained and then released on recognizance not to leave. A criminal case was opened against him and his friends for causing minor bodily harm for hooliganism.

32-year-old Alexander Pal is one of the brightest young stars of Russian cinema. He played in the films Good Boy, Loyalty, and for the role in Deeper! was awarded the Nika Prize yesterday. The actor is also known for his oppositional views. In August 2019, Pal was detained at an unauthorized event on Pushkin Square.

25-year-old Kevin Antipov has previously played for North American clubs outside the NHL, as well as in the Russian Youth Hockey League and the Major Hockey League. Has not been a member of professional teams since 2016. The press service of CSKA stressed that five years ago Antipov terminated the contract with the club and has nothing to do with it.