Brad Pitt's Attacker Remains Jailed, Restraining Order Issued

A Ukrainian television reporter who allegedly rushed Brad Pitt outside the El Capitan Theatre, making contact with the actor and breaking his sunglasses, remained behind bars today and subject to a restraining order.

Vitalii Sediuk, 25, was arrested Wednesday night during the red-carpet premiere of Angelina Jolie's movie "Maleficent" at the moviehouse in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard, police said.

Sediuk rushed the red carpet as Pitt and Jolie made their way through the throng of photographers and managed to make "contact" with Pitt's face, police said. The actor was not injured.

Sediuk was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and was jailed on $20,000 bail, according to booking records. LAPD Officer Sally Madera said police imposed a five-day restraining order requiring Sediuk to stay clear of Pitt.

The actor will have to go to court to have the order extended.

Sediuk, a reporter for the Ukrainian 1+1 television channel, was charged with leaving a spectator area and entering a performance area, and interfering with and delaying program participants, after he made it on stage at the 2013 Grammys, according to entertainment trade publication The Hollywood Reporter.

Sediuk's lawyer, Anthony Willoughby, told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2013 that his client had pleaded no contest to the charges, and that judgment had been deferred.

"If he stays clean for three years, he'll be able to withdraw his plea and the charges will be dismissed," Willoughby said.

Sediuk has also had other red carpet run-ins with celebrities. He allegedly rushed a red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival and stuck his head under actress America Ferrera's gown. He also allegedly hugged Bradley Cooper on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January and tried to kiss Will Smith during the Moscow premiere of "Men in Black 3."

--City News Service