Angelina Jolie accuses Brad Pitt of abuse on private plane

Angelina Jolie has filed court papers accusing ex-husband Brad Pitt of drunkenly attacking her and their children during a private plane flight, prompting her to file for divorce, the BBC reported.

Ms Jolie alleged that on a 2016 private flight, Brad Pitt grabbed her by the head and shook her then choked one of their children and struck another when they tried to defend her.

The descriptions of abuse came in a cross-complaint Jolie filed in the couple’s dispute over a French home and winery they co-owned that is separate from their ongoing divorce, which she sought soon after.

Her cross-complaint on Tuesday says the actor was physically and emotionally abusive towards her and their six children - aged 8 to 15 at the time - during the private plane flight.

Her lawyers allege the Fight Club star began shouting, accusing her of being "too deferential to the children".

Shortly into the flight, Mr Pitt "pulled her into the bathroom" in the back of the plane, says the lawsuit.

Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated in 2016-Reuters

"Pitt grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her, and then grabbed her shoulders and shook her again before pushing her into the bathroom wall," the filing adds.

"Pitt then punched the ceiling of the plane numerous times, prompting Jolie to leave the bathroom."

After one child verbally intervened, Mr Pitt "lunged at his own child", says the filing.

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Ms Jolie then "grabbed him from behind to stop him", according to the court papers.

"To get Jolie off his back, Pitt threw himself backwards into the airplane's seats injuring Jolie's back and elbow," the legal filing continues.

"The children rushed in and all bravely tried to protect each other. Before it was over, Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face."

Ms Jolie's lawyers say she and her children "sat still and silent under blankets" for the remainder of the flight.

"Pitt periodically emerged from the back of the plane to yell and swear at them. At one point, he poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children," says the filing.

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Mr Pitt also poured alcohol on his family during the flight from France to Los Angeles, she says. He subsequently poured beer on Jolie and poured beer and red wine on the children.

Mr Pitt denies the allegations.

A source close to the actor told the BBC that Ms Jolie's claims were false.

"She continues to rehash, revise and reimagine her description of an event that happened six years ago by adding completely untrue information each time she fails to get what she wants," said the source. "Her story is constantly evolving."

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The investigators met with federal prosecutors, and “It was agreed by all parties that criminal charges in this case would not be pursued due to several factors,” the report says.

An FBI statement said it has “conducted a review of the circumstances and will not pursue further investigation.”

The 47-year-old Oscar-winning actor and director Jolie and the 58-year-old Oscar-winning actor Pitt were among Hollywood’s most prominent couples for 12 years.

They had been romantic partners for a decade when they married in 2014. Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, and a judge declared them single in 2019, but the divorce case has not been finalized with custody and financial issues still in dispute.

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