An Uber driver named Rafael Manvelyan has filed a civil lawsuit against actor Kiefer Sutherland following a violent encounter in Los Angeles.. The complaint alleges that the 59-year-old actor physically assaulted the driver and issued death threats near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue.

The Sunset and Fairfax confrontation and the $50,000 bond

The alleged confrontation between Kiefer Sutherland and Rafael Manvelyan took place near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. according to the report, Sutherland entered the rideshare vehicle while appearing visibly intoxicated and became hostile when communication difficulties arose due to Manvelyan's Russian and Armenian linguistic background.

Following the reported altercation, the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Division detained the actor. Sutherland was booked on suspicion of criminal threats during the early hours of January 12 and was subsequently released after posting a $50,000 bond later that morning.

Physical injuries and the alleged chokehold in the rideshare vehicle

The civil lawsuit filed by Manvelyan alleges that Sutherland caused significant physical trauma through repeated strikes and a chokehold. The complaint claims the actor used closed fists to strike the driver's head, face, neck, and upper body.

As the report states, the driver is seeking compensation for a wide range of injuries, including damage to his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as his right shoulder and nervous system. The lawsuit also cites intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence as primary causes of action stemming from the encounter.

A history of legal issues from 2007 to 2009

Kiefer Sutherland's legal history includes prior incidents that the current lawsuit highlights to establish a pattern of behavior. The filing notes a 2007 guilty plea for driving under the influence, which resulted in a short period of incarceration.

Additionally, the lawsuit references a 2009 arrest for assault following a confrontation with fashion designer Jack McCollough. While that specific case was dismissed after Sutherland issued a public apology, the inclusion of these past events suggests the plaintiff is attempting to build a narrative of recurring volatility.

The missing dash-camera footage and the driver's medical status

The presence of dash-camera footage and the drier's actual medical condition remain two of the most significant unanswered questions in the case. While Manvelyan's attorney, Mitra Sabouri, asserts that the footage captured the attack, Sutherland's legal representatives have declined to release the video, citing the privacy of the private citizen involved.

Furthermore, there is a notable discrepancy between the lawsuit's clims and initial law enforcemet observations. while the civil complaint details severe physical and psychological trauma , an official statement from the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that Manvelyan did not require medical treatment at the scene. it remains to be seen whether the dash-camera video or subsequent medical evaluations will resolve this contradiction.