Europe

Andrew Tate to remain in custody pending human trafficking investigation

Controversial social media influencer was arrested for alleged human trafficking and formation of an organised crime group

Social media influencer Andrew Tate (C) and his brother Tristan Tate are escorted by Romanian police officers at the Court of Appeal building in Bucharest on January 10th, 2023. Photograph: EPA
Social media influencer Andrew Tate (C) and his brother Tristan Tate are escorted by Romanian police officers at the Court of Appeal building in Bucharest on January 10th, 2023. Photograph: EPA
Tue Jan 10 2023 - 09:37

Divisive internet personality Andrew Tate will remain in police custody for the full 30 days he was remanded to alongside his brother and two other suspects pending a criminal investigation for human trafficking, a Romanian court ruled late on Tuesday.

Tate, his brother Tristan and two Romanian female suspects were detained by Romanian anti-organised crime prosecutors on December 29th on charges of forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit six women.

They have denied wrongdoing through an attorney and have challenged the arrest warrant. On Tuesday, the Bucharest court of appeals said it rejected the challenge.

Prosecutors have said the Tate brothers recruited their victims by seducing them and falsely claiming to want a relationship.

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The victims were then taken to properties on the outskirts of capital Bucharest and through physical violence and mental intimidation were sexually exploited by being forced to produce pornographic content for social media sites that generated large financial gains, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors have also said one of the brothers raped one of the victims in March of last year, which is when the investigation started.

Prosecutors have seized 15 luxury vehicles and over 10 properties and homes belonging to the suspects in Bucharest and Prahova and Brasov counties, Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for Romanian anti-organised crime unit DIICOT, told Reuters.

Mr Tate a former professional kickboxer, who holds US and British nationality, gained mainstream notoriety for misogynistic remarks and hate speech, which got him banned from all major social media platforms, although since Elon Musk took over Twitter his account was reinstated in November. – Reuters