Kiefer Sutherland Denies Uber Driver’s Claims of Assault, Says He Acted in ‘Self-Defense’

Rebecca AizinFri, November 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM UTC

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Kiefer Sutherland is seen during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Darsena Excelsior on September 05, 2026Credit: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty -

An Uber driver filed a complaint against Kiefer Sutherland, alleging the actor assaulted him during a January ride

Sutherland denied all allegations and argued the driver’s claims fall outside the statute of limitations

Both parties requested a jury trial as Sutherland seeks dismissal of the complaint with prejudice

Kiefer Sutherland is denying assault allegations stemming from a January incident involving a ride-share driver.

Sutherland, 59, was arrested on Jan. 12 after allegedly physically assaulting Uber driver Rafael Manvelyan and making criminal threats against him. Nine months later, Manvelyan filed a lawsuit seeking damages for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

In a Nov. 10 response obtained by PEOPLE, Sutherland denied “each and every allegation” against him.

In his response, Sutherland argued that Manvelyan’s claims fall outside the statute of limitations and that any psychological distress he experienced could be “attributable to preexisting or concurrent psychological conditions, unrelated stressors or other independent causes.”

Sutherland also asserted that Manvelyan “suffered no injury” or damages as a result of the alleged altercation. He further denied liability, arguing that “any such damages are not the direct or proximate result of any act or omission of” Sutherland.

Kiefer Sutherland attends the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, CalifCredit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The Designated Survivor actor further alleged that Manvelyan brought the claims in “bad faith” for the “purpose of harassing” him.

Sutherland also said that any alleged actions on his part were taken in “self-defense” and “were undertaken in the reasonable belief that Plaintiff posed an imminent threat of bodily harm” to him.

Sutherland further asserted that he “acted reasonably and used only such force as was reasonably necessary under the circumstances.”

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Kiefer Sutherland speaks on a panel for “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” at Deadline Contenders Television 2024 held at the Directors Guild of America on April 13, 2024 in Los AngelesCredit: Rich Polk/Deadline via Getty

In the complaint, filed Oct. 12, Manvelyan alleged that Sutherland “appeared visibly intoxicated” when he entered the car and “became increasingly hostile, aggressive, and confrontational” toward him during the ride.

Manvelyan further alleged that Sutherland threatened him with “serious bodily injury and death” and “intentionally attacked” him while he was driving. The complaint alleges that Sutherland placed Manvelyan in a “chokehold” and repeatedly struck him in the “head, face, neck, and upper body with closed fists.”

Manvelyan alleged that he attempted to exit the vehicle at one point while “fearing for his life and safety.” He claimed the incident left him with injuries to his “head, face, neck, cervical spine, right shoulder, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, nervous system, and psychological injuries, including ongoing anxiety, fear, nightmares, emotional trauma, and sleep disturbance.”

He also claimed he lost earnings and incurred medical expenses for treatment.

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Sutherland is seeking to have the complaint dismissed in its entirety with prejudice. Both parties have requested a jury trial.

A rep for Sutherland has not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”