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Japan Today
3 days ago
- Japan Today
Lawyer says Tate brothers will return to UK to face rape and trafficking charges
FILE - Andrew Tate, left, and his brother Tristan arrive at the Bucharest Tribunal in Bucharest, Romania, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File) By BRIAN MELLEY Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate will return to Britain to defend themselves against rape, trafficking and other charges, their lawyers said Thursday. Prosecutors authorized charges in January 2024 against the Tates, dual U.S. and British citizens who moved to Romania in 2016. But the Crown Prosecution Service did not announce the charges involving several women until Wednesday. Lawyers said the brothers, who are currently facing charges in Romania, are at a disadvantage because British prosecutors have not shared any information with them about the charges. 'These are historic allegations and our clients are not even being told who the supposed victims are,' the Holborn Adams law firm said in a statement. 'This ... demonstrates a different approach on the basis of the profile of our clients.' The former professional kickboxers have millions of followers on social media. Andrew has drawn a much larger following with self-professed misogyny that has drawn boys and young men to the luxurious lifestyle he projects. Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges related to three women that include rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, prosecutors said. Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges related to one woman that include rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm. The allegations from Bedfordshire, a county north of London where the brothers grew up, date back to between 2012 to 2015. The Tates were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring there that lured women who were allegedly sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. The siblings have denied all the allegations in Romania, and an appeals court there said in December that a human trafficking case could not proceed because of legal and procedural irregularities. Romanian courts have issued an order to extradite the two to the UK once their court case is concluded in there, British prosecutors said. Lawyers for the Tates said they may have information that could undermine the allegations, but police and prosecutors won't speak with them. They said the Tates would return to England when their cases in Romania conclude, and that they will be aggressively defended. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Al Jazeera
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Andrew Tate and brother arrive in US after Romania travel ban lifted
Romanian prosecutors confirm travel ban lifted as court rules to lift seizure of multiple assets. 27 Feb 2025 | Updated: Right-wing influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are under investigation in Romania on allegtions including human trafficking, have arrived in the United States after authorities lifted travel restrictions imposed on the pair as part of the case. The brothers, who have dual United Kingdom and US citizenship, left Romania's capital Bucharest on Thursday morning on board a private jet bound for Florida, as Romanian anti-organised crime agency DIICOT said it had approved 'a request to modify' their travel ban. Romanian prosecutors detained former kickboxer Andrew Tate, 38, and his brother Tristan, 36, in 2022, accusing them of setting up a criminal organisation in Romania and the UK in 2021, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. They deny all the allegations. DIICOT said in a statement that the Tates remained 'under judicial supervision' and still had to respond to any summons from judicial authorities, with violations 'in bad faith' liable to be punished with a 'higher custodial measure'. A court in Bucharest also ruled in favour of an appeal by the Tates to lift the seizure of multiple assets, according to the brothers' spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu. The assets include six luxury vehicles, land and properties, and company shares. All previously frozen bank accounts have been unfrozen, she said. 'While some assets remain under precautionary seizure, this ruling marks a significant step toward justice,' she said. The Tates' arrival in the US comes after Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said that the brothers were mentioned during his brief hallway meeting with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Richard Grenell at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month. He denied he had faced pressure to lift the travel ban on the Tates, after the Financial Times newspaper cited sources claiming that members of the Trump administration had pressed Bucharest to remove the restrictions. Cristi Danilet, a former judge in Romania's northern city of Cluj, said that any bilateral agreement on lifting the 'preventative measure' would be unprecedented. 'If it is true, it means that there is no more rule of law and sovereign countries,' he said. 'Major risk' Romanian authorities formally indicted the Tates along with two Romanian women last year. All four deny the allegations. A first criminal case failed in December when the Bucharest court of appeals decided not to start the trial and sent the files back to prosecutors citing flaws in the indictment. In April, another court, the Bucharest Tribunal, ruled that a trial could start but didn't set a date. Pending the completion of the ongoing criminal investigation, the Tates are under judicial control, a light preventative measure under which they are required to check in with the police at regular intervals. A British arrest warrant on allegations of sexual aggression between 2012 and 2015 has also been issued for the Tates, who were set to be extradited after Romanian trial proceedings. In a joint statement on Thursday, the four British women who brought the allegations expressed 'disbelief', saying there was now 'a major risk' that criminal proceedings in Romania would be halted and calling on the authorities to 'take action … to ensure he faces justice in the UK'. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office declined to comment on the situation or whether the UK wanted to see Tate extradited to the UK. A self-described misogynist, social media influencer Tate has gained millions of fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say denigrates women.
The Independent
27-02-2025
- The Independent
Who are the Tate brothers? The social media influencers facing trafficking charges
Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have landed in the United States after a travel ban on them was lifted, officials said on Thursday. The brothers - who are avid supporters of President Donald Trump and have millions of online followers - are both charged with human trafficking in Romania. It wasn't clear under what conditions the Tates were allowed to leave Romania but a representative confirmed the pair had landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here are some things to know about them: Who are the Tate Brothers? Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36 are dual US-British citizens. Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X. He also runs an online academy where he says he teaches young men how to get rich and attract women. Tristan Tate is also a former kickboxer. The Tates are avid supporters of President Donald Trump. What are they charged with in Romania? The Tate brothers and two Romanian women were arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 'in order to commit the crime of human trafficking' in Romania, the United States and Britain. They were initially formally indicted last year. In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled that a trial could start but didn't set a date. In December, a court in Bucharest ruled that the case against the Tates and the two Romanian women couldn't go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutors. The case hasn't been closed, and there is also a separate legal case against the brothers in Romania. Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. But they were charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, among other charges. What led to the travel ban being lifted? DIICOT, Romania's anti-organized crime agency, said in a statement on Thursday that prosecutors approved a 'request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania,' but that judicial control measures remained in place. The agency didn't say who had made the request. The control measures include the requirement to 'appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned,' the statement read. The agency said the Tates were 'warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation of liberty measure.' Their departure came after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a U.S. official in the current Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers' legal case in Romania at the Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted it didn't amount to pressure.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Andrew Tate, brother Tristan leave Romania for US amid human trafficking case
The Brief Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, have left for the U.S. after a travel ban on them was lifted, an official said. The influencer brothers are also charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist, also faces an additional charge of rape. BUCHAREST, Romania - Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, left for the U.S. on Thursday after a travel ban on them was lifted, an official said. The influencer brothers are also charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X, also faces an additional charge of rape. Here's what to know: The backstory Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36 — who are dual U.S.-British citizens — were arrested near Romania's capital in late 2022 along with two Romanian women. Romanian prosecutors formally indicted all four last year. In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled that a trial could start but didn't set a date. All four deny all the allegations. What we know Romania's anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, said in a statement on Thursday that prosecutors approved a "request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania," but that judicial control measures remained in place. The agency didn't say who had made the request. "These include the requirement to appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned," the statement read. "The defendants have been warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation of liberty measure." What we don't know It wasn't clear under what conditions the Tates — who are avid supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump and boast millions of online followers — were allowed to leave Romania. An official at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the case, said that the decision was at the discretion of prosecutors. The Tates' departure came after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a U.S. official in the current Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers' legal case in Romania at the Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted it didn't amount to pressure. What they're saying While it's unclear whether the request to lift the brothers' travel ban came from the U.S., Cristi Danilet, a former judge in Romania's northern city of Cluj, said that such an agreement would be unprecedented. "I have never heard of a foreign government asking Romania to lift preventive measures to allow some suspects to leave the country," he told The Associated Press. "If I had been a judge, this would not have happened." "If it is true, it means that there is no more rule of law and sovereign countries," he added. Dig deeper In December, a court in Bucharest ruled that the case against the Tate brothers and the two Romanian women couldn't go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutors. That decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal was a huge setback for DIICOT, but it didn't mean the defendants could walk free. The case hasn't been closed, and there is also a separate legal case against the brothers in Romania. Last August, DIICOT also launched a second case against the Tate brothers, investigating allegations of human trafficking, the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements and money laundering. They have denied all the charges. Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. Other Legal Battles The Tates brothers' legal battles, however, aren't limited to Romania. In late 2024, a U.K. court ruled that in a separate case against the Tate brothers, police can seize more than 2.6 million pounds ($3.3 million) to cover years of unpaid taxes from the pair and freeze some of their accounts. Andrew Tate called it "outright theft" and called it "a coordinated attack on anyone who dares to challenge the system." Last March, the Tate brothers appeared at the Bucharest Court of Appeal in a separate case after U.K. authorities issued arrest warrants over allegations of sexual aggression in a case dating back to 2012-2015. The appeals court granted the U.K. request to extradite the Tates, but only after legal proceedings in Romania had concluded. The Source This story was reported citing information reported by the Associated Press on Feb. 27, 2025, and Romania's anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT. It was reported from Cincinnati, and the AP contributed.
Al Jazeera
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Andrew Tate and brother depart Romania for the US after travel ban lifted
Right-wing influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have departed Romania for the United States, according to media reports, after prosecutors lifted a ban on them leaving the country where they are under investigation on allegtions including human trafficking. The brothers, who have dual United Kingdom and US citizenship, left Romania's capital Bucharest on Thursday morning on board a private jet bound for Florida, several media outlets reported, as anti-organised crime agency DIICOT said it had approved 'a request to modify' their travel ban. Romanian prosecutors detained former kickboxer Andrew Tate, 38, and his brother Tristan, 36, in 2022, accusing them of setting up a criminal organisation in Romania and the UK in 2021, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. They deny all the allegations. Until this week, the brothers were also banned from leaving Romania, a measure that has now been lifted. 'The request to change the obligation of not leaving Romania was approved,' prosecutors said. 'All the other obligations have been maintained, including the requirement to check in with judicial authorities every time they are called.' DIICOT said in a statement that the Tates remained 'under judicial supervision' and still had to respond to any summons from judicial authorities, with violations 'in bad faith' liable to be punished with a 'higher custodial measure'. A court in Bucharest later on Thursday ruled in favour of an appeal by the Tates to lift the seizure of multiple assets, according to the brothers' spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu. The assets include six luxury vehicles, land and properties, and company shares. All previously frozen bank accounts have been unfrozen, she said. 'While some assets remain under precautionary seizure, this ruling marks a significant step toward justice,' she said. The Tates' departure comes after Romania's Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said that the Tates were mentioned during his brief hallway meeting with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Richard Grenell at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month. He denied he had faced pressure to lift restrictions on the Tates, after the Financial Times newspaper cited sources claiming that members of the Trump administration had pressed Bucharest to lift travel restrictions on the Tates. Cristi Danilet, a former judge in Romania's northern city of Cluj, said that any bilateral agreement on lifting the 'preventative measure' would be unprecedented. 'If it is true, it means that there is no more rule of law and sovereign countries,' he said. 'Major risk' Romanian authorities formally indicted the Tates along with two Romanian women last year. All four deny the allegations. A first criminal case failed in December when the Bucharest court of appeals decided not to start the trial and sent the files back to prosecutors citing flaws in the indictment. In April, another court, the Bucharest Tribunal, ruled that a trial could start but didn't set a date. Pending the completion of the ongoing criminal investigation, the Tates are under judicial control, a light preventative measure under which they are required to check in with the police at regular intervals. A British arrest warrant on allegations of sexual aggression between 2012 and 2015 has also been issued for the Tates, who were set to be extradited after Romanian trial proceedings. In a joint statement on Thursday, the four British women who brought the allegations expressed 'disbelief', saying there was now 'a major risk' that criminal proceedings in Romania would be halted and calling on the authorities to 'take action … to ensure he faces justice in the UK'. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office declined to comment on the situation or whether the UK wanted to see Tate extradited to the UK. A self-described misogynist, social media influencer Tate has gained millions of fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say denigrates women.
