Controversial social media influencer and former kickboxer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, were arrested again by order of a Romanian judge, marking the latest development in their ongoing legal battles over allegations of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Tate brothers and four other suspects were detained by Romanian police. Four search warrants were issued as part of the current investigation into the Tate brother’s activities. The Tates were taken into custody after a police raid of their residence related to the charges. On top of trafficking and exploitation, the defendants are also accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with minors.
During the raid, various assets were seized, including thousands in cash, laptops, storage devices, luxury watches, a motorcycle, and 16 luxury vehicles.
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), the Romanian agency tasked with taking down criminal gangs, requested that the court hold them for 30 days.
According to Mateea Petrescu, spokesperson for Andrew Tate, Tristan was placed under judicial control and Andrew under house arrest. She said the brother “salute the decision” while firmly denying “all allegations leveled against them.” Petrescu said the Tates emphasized that the allegations are “baseless” and lack “substantial evidence.”
Andrew Tate commented on the arrest and accusations by calling the whole thing “a setup.” He said it was “absolutely disgusting,” adding that thirty of the girls involved in the case said the brother “have done nothing wrong” and that two of them are the mothers of their children, while two others “have never even been” to Romania.
Last year, the Tates were indicted on allegations of establishing a criminal organization that they used to facilitate human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and even rape. Both brothers denied the charges. That indictment resulted in a travel ban, preventing them from leaving Romania and only allowing them to travel within the country.
Andrew Tate has become a household name over the last few years, attracting an audience of mostly young men who look to the influencer for advice on masculinity. He’s also appeared on numerous shows and podcasts, from Tucker Carlson to Piers Morgan, quickly becoming one of the most controversial social and political commentators in the world.
