Online influencer Andrew Tate has been detained in Romania and is facing a UK arrest warrant
Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer and online personality, was reportedly detained in Romania. His spokesperson stated that he was handed an arrest warrant issued by British authorities.
Andrew Tate, aged 37, and his brother Tristan Tate were detained in Romania for 24 hours. They are facing allegations of sexual aggression in a UK case dating back to 2012-2015, as per spokesperson Mateea Petrescu.
According to Mateea Petrescu, the Tate brothers were seen in handcuffs at the Bucharest Court of Appeal on Tuesday, escorted by police. The court was expected to decide whether to enforce warrants from London’s Westminster Magistrates Court. This decision could lead to their potential extradition back to the UK.
Four women informed UK authorities about alleged harm inflicted by Andrew Tate. However, the Crown Prosecution Service opted not to press charges. Now, these women are seeking financial support through crowdfunding to cover their legal expenses as they pursue a civil case against Tate.
We shared evidence of the violence we endured, hoping for justice. However, after four years, the UK authorities chose not to press charges,” they explained on their campaign page. “Now, our only option is to seek accountability through legal action.
Tristan Tate’s specific accusations in the UK are unclear at the moment.
Petrescu mentioned on Tuesday that the Tate brothers, who hold citizenship in both the UK and the US, refute the charges. They express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being raised again without significant new evidence.
Andrew Tate, along with his brother and two Romanian women, faces charges including rape and human trafficking in Romania. They deny the accusations. A legal firm representing four British women who accuse Tate of assault has requested British police to detain him, fearing he may attempt to flee Romania.
Matthew Jury, a managing partner at the law firm, expressed relief, saying, “Today’s news is a big relief for many worried about Tate escaping justice.” He thanked British authorities for taking their concerns seriously and issuing an arrest warrant. Tate is accused of serious crimes and must face the consequences.
Tate, who was arrested in Romania, has been accused of spreading false information about the criminal charges they face in the UK during interviews with prominent media personalities such as Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan.
Tate’s attorney, Eugen Vidineac, stated during court proceedings on Tuesday, ‘As far as we know, this investigation was already closed. We don’t have information about whether it’s being reopened or if new evidence has been provided by the authorities.
Constantin Gliga, representing Tate, stated, “We lack the necessary data.” He mentioned that the court’s ruling would clarify Romania’s legal status. Gliga added, “Only then will we know if Tate will be extradited to the UK.
Tate, formerly popular on X (previously Twitter) with 8.9 million followers, continues to argue that Romanian prosecutors lack evidence against him, alleging a conspiracy to silence him. He has been banned from major social media platforms in the past for promoting misogyny and hate speech.
The Tate brothers were detained by Romanian authorities for three months before being placed under house arrest. They are currently confined to Bucharest and nearby Ilfov County and are unable to leave Romania. The legal proceedings are in the preliminary stages, during which the defendants have the opportunity to dispute the evidence presented by prosecutors. However, no trial date has been scheduled yet.
In October, lawyers representing alleged abuse victims accused Andrew Tate and his followers of trying to intimidate their clients into silence during a news conference in Bucharest.
Then, in January, Tate successfully appealed against the seizure of his assets by Romanian authorities. These assets, which included 15 luxury cars, 14 designer watches, and cash in various currencies worth around $3.9 million, were confiscated shortly after his arrest.