Online influencer Andrew Tate, 37, was detained in Romania and served with an arrest warrant issued by British authorities. Tate and his brother Tristan Tate were held for 24 hours on allegations of sexual aggression in a U.K. case dating back to 2012-2015. The Bucharest Court of Appeal was set to make a crucial decision on executing the warrants issued by the Westminster Magistrates Court in London, potentially leading to an extradition process.
Four women had reported Andrew Tate for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse, prompting a civil case after the Crown Prosecution Service declined to prosecute him. The alleged victims resorted to crowdfunding for legal costs to pursue accountability.
Tristan Tate's specific accusations in the U.K. remain unclear. The Tate brothers, dual U.K. and U.S. citizens, deny the charges and express disappointment at the revival of serious allegations without new substantial evidence.
Andrew Tate faces separate charges in Romania for rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. Arrested in December 2022, Tate and his brother, along with two Romanian women, were indicted in June and have denied the allegations.
Legal representatives of the British women accusing Andrew Tate of rape and assaults commended British authorities for issuing an arrest warrant, expressing relief that Tate may be held accountable for his actions.
Andrew Tate, with a significant social media following, has claimed innocence and alleged a political conspiracy against him. Banned from various platforms for misogynistic views, Tate has been vocal about what he perceives as a conspiracy targeting men.
After being held in police detention and then under house arrest in Romania, the Tate brothers are currently restricted to Bucharest Municipality and nearby Ilfov County, unable to leave Romania. The legal proceedings in Romania are ongoing, with no trial date set.
Andrew Tate's assets, seized by Romanian authorities post-arrest, were later returned following a successful appeal. The seized assets included luxury cars, designer watches, and cash in multiple currencies.
