BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian police conducted new raids early Wednesday at the residence of internet influencer Andrew Tate, who is awaiting trial on serious charges including human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal organization aimed at exploiting women.
The country’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, reported that searches were being carried out at four locations in Bucharest and the surrounding Ilfov county as part of an investigation into allegations that include human trafficking, trafficking minors, engaging in sexual relations with a minor, influencing witnesses, and money laundering. DIICOT also indicated that hearings would take place at its headquarters later.
Tate’s spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, stated that while the charges in the search warrant have not been fully detailed, they include allegations of human trafficking and money laundering, and confirmed that his legal team was present. Petrescu did not comment on the allegations concerning minors.
A significant presence of police officers and forensic experts was seen at Tate’s extensive property near Bucharest. DIICOT emphasized that throughout the investigation, individuals involved maintain their procedural rights and the presumption of innocence as per the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Andrew Tate, 37, along with his brother Tristan, 36, both former kickboxers and dual citizens of the UK and US, were arrested in 2022 alongside two Romanian women. Romanian prosecutors officially indicted all four individuals last year, and they have denied the allegations against them.
Petrescu reported later on Wednesday that the Tate brothers have been detained for 24 hours, which is the maximum duration allowed by DIICOT without a judicial order to extend the detention. “As of now, no proposal has been submitted by the prosecution,” she remarked.
Outside their home, as the brothers were led to a police van, Andrew Tate expressed frustration to reporters over the slow progression of the case, stating, “What I’ve done wrong, who knows.”
Known for his controversial and misogynistic statements online, Andrew Tate has garnered 9.9 million followers on the social media platform X, where he has asserted that there is no evidence against him and that a political conspiracy is aimed at silencing him. He has previously faced bans from several social media platforms due to his views and hate speech.
In April, the Bucharest Tribunal determined that the prosecution’s case met legal standards for a trial to commence, although no date has been set. This ruling followed months of preliminary hearings where defendants were able to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution.
After their arrest in 2022, the Tate brothers spent three months in custody before being placed under house arrest. They subsequently faced restrictions on their movement, initially within Bucharest and Ilfov counties, later extending across all of Romania.
Last month, a court rescinded a prior decision that had permitted the Tate brothers to travel outside Romania during their legal proceedings. A previous ruling on July 5 had allowed them to leave, provided they remained within the European Union.
Additionally, in March, the Tate brothers appeared at the Bucharest Court of Appeal concerning a separate case stemming from U.K. authorities who issued arrest warrants related to allegations of sexual assault from 2012 to 2015. The appeals court approved the extradition request but specified that it would only take effect after the completion of legal processes in Romania.