Kiefer Sutherland claims he acted in 'self-defense' against Uber driver who alleges actor threatened to kill him

Kiefer Sutherland has denied assaulting an Uber driver who claims the Hollywood legend 'threatened to kill' him and punched him repeatedly.The 59-year-old actor was detained by police on January 12 on suspicion of criminal threats after the alleged assault in Los Angeles. In June, Uber driver Rafael Manvelyan filed a lawsuit against Sutherland for assault and battery, claiming he suffered injuries to his head, face, neck, spine and shoulder when he was allegedly attacked.Now, Sutherland is denying 'each and every allegation,' per a November 10 response reviewed by People magazine.He argues that Manvelyan's allegations exceed the statute of limitations and that any psychological distress he endured could be 'attributable to preexisting or concurrent psychological conditions, unrelated stressors or other independent causes,' per the outlet.Sutherland added that the driver 'suffered no injury' in the alleged altercation and 'any such damages are not the direct or proximate result of any act or omission of' him. Kiefer Sutherland has denied assaulting an Uber driver who claims the Hollywood legend 'threatened to kill' him and punched him repeatedly; pictured in November 2025 The 59-year-old actor was detained by police on January 12 on suspicion of criminal threats after the alleged assault in Los Angeles; pictured with his father Donald Sutherland in 2008Sutherland further argued that Manvelyan had wielded his claims in 'bad faith' for the 'purpose of harassing' him.The Emmy winner went on to say that any alleged actions on his part were in 'self-defense' and 'were undertaken in the reasonable belief that Plaintiff posed an imminent threat of bodily harm,' according to the complaint reviewed by People.He says he 'acted reasonably and used only such force as was reasonably necessary under the circumstances.'Manvelyan alleged in a complaint filed on October 12 that Sutherland 'appeared visibly intoxicated' upon entering his car and 'became increasingly hostile, aggressive, and confrontational' throughout the Uber ride.He also claimed that Sutherland threatened him with 'serious bodily injury and death' and 'intentionally attacked' him as he drove. The complaint accuses Sutherland of placing Manvelyan in a 'chokehold' and struck him in the 'head, face, neck, and upper body with closed fists' repeatedly.Manvelyan said he attempted to exit the car while 'fearing for his life and safety' and says the ordeal 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,' per People.He also said he lost earnings and has racked up medical expenses for treatment. In June, Uber driver Rafael Manvelyan filed a lawsuit against Sutherland for assault and battery. Now, Sutherland is denying 'each and every allegation'; pictured in January 2004 in Beverly Hills Sutherland (R) scored one of his earliest roles in the late Rob Reiner's acclaimed coming-of-age drama Stand By Me (1986)Sutherland is attempting to have the complaint fully dismissed with prejudice, and each party has requested a jury trial. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to a radio call about an 'assault involving a rideshare driver' shortly after midnight one night this past January.The suspect, later identified as Sutherland, allegedly got into the vehicle near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue and assaulted the driver before threatening him, according to the police statement.Manvelyan, whose primary languages are Russian and Armenian and who speaks limited English, alleged Sutherland became 'agitated' when he couldn't understand him. Per the lawsuit, it is claimed Sutherland became 'increasingly hostile, aggressive, confrontational' during the ride, allegedly 'yelling and being verbally abusive.'The driver claimed his dashboard camera captured part of the alleged assault and that there were witnesses to the alleged incident.