According to a spokesperson, Andrew Tate, a prominent online influencer, was detained in Romania where he was served with an arrest warrant issued by British authorities. The detention occurred on Monday evening and lasted for 24 hours. Allegations of sexual aggression dating back to 2012-2015 were cited in connection with a UK case involving Tate and his brother Tristan Tate, as reported by spokesperson Mateea Petrescu.
The spokesperson further indicated that the Bucharest Court of Appeal is expected to make a crucial decision on Tuesday regarding the execution of warrants issued by the UK’s Westminster Magistrates Court.
The accusations stem from four women who reported Tate to UK authorities for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse. Despite this, the Crown Prosecution Service opted not to pursue prosecution. Subsequently, the alleged victims resorted to crowdfunding for legal expenses to pursue a civil case against Tate.
In response, Tate and his brother, both dual citizens of the UK and the US, have vehemently denied the charges, expressing disappointment at the revival of such serious allegations without substantial new evidence.
Separately, Tate faces charges in Romania including rape, human trafficking, and involvement in a criminal gang exploiting women. Arrested near Bucharest in December 2022 alongside his brother and two Romanian women, Tate contests the allegations, claiming a lack of evidence and alleging a political conspiracy against him.
With a significant social media following, Tate has been known for controversial views and has faced bans from various platforms for misogyny and hate speech. A recent post on his social media account indicated defiance against perceived threats, referencing a “Matrix” conspiracy.
Following their initial arrest in Romania, the Tate brothers spent three months in police detention before being placed under house arrest. They are currently restricted to Bucharest and nearby areas. Legal proceedings in Romania are ongoing, with no trial date set.
In October, lawyers representing alleged abuse victims accused Tate and his followers of attempting to intimidate their clients into silence during a press conference in Bucharest. However, in January, Tate succeeded in appealing the seizure of his assets by Romanian authorities, which were confiscated following his arrest, including luxury cars, designer watches, and significant amounts of cash in various currencies.