Controversial internet influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been detained in Romania on Monday regarding sex offense charges in the UK, Romanian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The Tate brothers are set to be extradited to Britain to face these charges.
According to Romanian police, officers from the Criminal Investigation Service and the town of Voluntari executed two European arrest warrants issued by UK judicial authorities for alleged sexual offenses and exploitation in Great Britain.
While the Romanian Court of Appeal has approved their extradition, it has been postponed until the conclusion of their trial in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape, which the brothers vehemently deny. Their spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, expressed their disbelief and distress over the revival of decade-old accusations, rejecting all charges and lamenting the lack of substantial new evidence.
Andrew Tate, a former American-British kickboxer, gained internet fame with controversial content focusing on topics like male dominance, female submission, and wealth. However, his misogynistic comments led to his suspension from major social media platforms, drawing criticism from human rights activists, educators, and law enforcement officials concerned about his influence on young audiences worldwide.
During a court hearing in Bucharest on Tuesday, the Tate brothers expressed their reluctance to return to the UK. Andrew Tate, addressing the judge, reflected on the impact of false accusations on his life, underscoring his previous experience with similar allegations.
The Tate brothers had previously spent three months in police custody in Bucharest last year and were later placed under house arrest pending a criminal investigation into alleged abuses against seven women, allegations they have denied. They were subsequently released in August but remain under judicial control, awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal group to sexually exploit women.