Romania. British men’s rights influencer Andrew Tait arrested

Romania’s judiciary announced late Wednesday that it had detained British men’s rights influencer Andrew Tate, who was awaiting trial on charges of rape and human trafficking, as part of a new investigation.

Andrew Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan, 36, have been detained by police for 24 hours and will be questioned by the prosecutor’s office in charge of combating organised crime (DIICOT), a spokesman for the group said.

On Wednesday morning, DIICOT said prosecutors “executed four search warrants” related to “formation of an organized criminal group, crimes of trafficking of minors,” “sexual relations with minors,” and “money laundering.”

Awaiting their trial

They did not specify whether the search involved one of the world’s most famous influencers and his brother, who are already suspected of defrauding multiple victims, including minors, for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

But according to a statement from a spokesperson, the brothers confirmed that their home was raided “this morning” as “part of a search related to a new investigation” involving “alleged human trafficking and money laundering.”

They used to be Arrested by the end of 2022 and was detained in Bucharest for three months, then placed under judicial supervision and banned from leaving the territory. Indicted in June 2023they are accused of grooming women by simulating affection and then forcing them to make pornographic films. Andrew Tait also faces two counts of rape.

Tax fraud in the UK

The brothers, who deny all charges, are also the subject of a European arrest warrant issued by British authorities for similar facts. They are also accused of tax fraud in the UK, with income of nearly 25 million euros from Internet activities.

Romania’s judiciary said it was ready to accept their extradition, but only if they were tried in Romania, which could take years. No date has been set.

Andrew Tait, who was born in the United States and has lived for several years in a villa near Bucharest, Romania, says he appreciates the country’s “freedom” and the “fact that corruption is possible for everyone”. The former kickboxer was banned from Instagram and TikTok for making misogynistic comments, but has 9.9 million followers on the social network X and counting. He flaunts bulging muscles, smokes cigars and mesmerizes millions of teenagers with his luxury cars. He says he gives people advice to help them get rich.