A Romanian court has placed Andrew Tate, a 37-year-old internet influencer, under 30-day house arrest as prosecutors investigate allegations of human trafficking of minors and sex with a minor. The controversial influencer, known for his misogynistic views online, was detained by police along with his brother Tristan, 36, and four others after masked officers raided four homes in Bucharest and nearby Ilfov county. Prosecutors had requested that the brothers be held in custody for 30 days. The investigation stems from allegations of human trafficking, including the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, forming an organized criminal group, money laundering, and influencing statements. The alleged crimes date between 2014 and 2024, with authorities claiming that the defendants used the coercive “loverboy” method to exploit 34 vulnerable victims who were forced to produce pornographic materials for a fee online. The defendants allegedly kept over $2.8 million generated from the criminal activity. The case is the latest in a series of legal woes against the Tate brothers, who are already awaiting trial in Romania in a separate human trafficking case.
Andrew Tate (Image via Getty)
Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. He has 9.9 million followers on the social media platform X and has been banned from various platforms for hate speech and misinformation. Tate’s spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, responded to the decision by stating that the judge denied prosecutors’ request to hold them in custody due to their “exemplary behavior” while under previous arrest measures. The Tate brothers’ defense has argued that many of the alleged victims in the new case have statements in their defense, and Andrew Tate has claimed that the case is a “setup” and that the judge’s decision to place them under house arrest is a victory for them. Despite being denied bail, the brothers will continue to fight the allegations against them.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of human trafficking and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what evidence prosecutors will present against the Tate brothers and what verdict they will reach. The police raids on Wednesday also seized 16 luxury vehicles, a motorbike, laptops, and data storage drives, worth millions of dollars. The Tate brothers’ arrest is a significant development in the fight against human trafficking, and it is essential to ensure that justice is served in this case.
