Seungri denies special assault charges, says he held bottle but never swung it

Seungri, a former member of BIGBANG who has been sued on charges of special assault, denied the allegations, saying no assault took place.

According to an Ilgan Sports report Thursday, Seungri told the outlet that a scuffle broke out because the accuser, referred to as A, demanded to join his table while heavily intoxicated. He insisted no assault occurred.

"It is true that I picked up a bottle while making clear that I did not want to sit with him," Seungri said, but insisted, "I only held it — I did not swing it or threaten him."

He went on, "Ultimately, I ended up sitting with him, listening to what he had to say and drinking together. We even exchanged numbers to become like brothers, and he saw me off when I headed home." He added, "A few hours later, he texted me saying he would bring a business plan next week, but for some reason his attitude changed, and now he has filed a complaint claiming he was a victim. I am bewildered."

Seungri said he has secured text message records with A, CCTV footage from inside the restaurant, and witness statements from restaurant staff and a valet. He pledged to cooperate faithfully with the investigation. He added that he is considering filing a countersuit for false accusation over the complaint filed against the acquaintances who were with him at the time.

Earlier, Gangnam police received a complaint on Aug. 26 seeking punishment for Seungri on charges of special assault. He is accused of assaulting A, a man in his 30s, at a restaurant in Gangnam on the morning of Aug. 8.