Andrew and Tristan Tate, well-known influencers, made an appearance at a police station near Bucharest on Monday to observe judicial control conditions related to the human trafficking and criminal gang charges they face. The brothers are accused of forming a criminal network to exploit women sexually in Romania.
As they arrived at the Voluntari police station, Andrew Tate, who openly labels himself a misogynist, expressed to reporters, “I’m a free person who has not been convicted of anything,” adding that he will adhere to the demands of judicial authorities globally, adamantly insisting on his innocence regarding the charges.
The dual U.S. and British citizens have been under legal scrutiny since their 2022 arrest in Romania. They were formally indicted last year for allegedly recruiting women into a criminal organization for exploitation. Andrew faces additional allegations of rape. Both brothers have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Speaking on Monday, Andrew emphasized the importance of a fair trial, stating, “It doesn’t matter what you’re accused of, it matters what you are proven guilty to have done in a fair court of law. Accusations mean nothing.” He criticized repetitive accusations in the media as “garbage.”
The brothers recently returned to Romania from a trip to the U.S., which they undertook after a lifting of a travel ban, effective last month. They continue under judicial control and are expected to comply with mandates to appear at summons from Romanian authorities.
Shortly after their move to Florida, Florida’s Attorney General announced an inquiry into the Tates, confirming cooperation with law enforcement to preliminarily investigate the brothers. In response, Andrew claimed that Florida’s governor succumbed to media influence without realizing his U.S. citizenship, suggesting that subsequent discussions have rectified the situation.
The travel ban was lifted following a December decision by a Bucharest court, which identified legal and procedural missteps by prosecutors, hindering the trial’s progression. This ruling favored the Tates and posed a setback for DIICOT, Romania’s anti-organized crime agency. However, the case against them still stands open.
In addition, DIICOT initiated further investigations into the Tates last August, probing links to human trafficking, minor trafficking, sexual relations with minors, witness manipulation, and money laundering, all of which the brothers staunchly repudiate.
Andrew Tate, aged 38 and a former professional kickboxer with over 10 million X followers, has repeatedly contended that Romanian prosecutors lack substantial evidence against him, alleging a political scheme to suppress him.
The Tates’ legal challenges span beyond Romanian borders. In the U.K., four women have filed civil suits against Andrew Tate, alleging sexual violence and abuse, following a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service against pursuing criminal charges.
Earlier in March, the Bucharest Court of Appeal evaluated a separate extradition request from the U.K., related to sexual aggression allegations from 2012 to 2015. Although the court approved extradition, it stipulated that it would only occur upon resolving the Romanian proceedings.