Andrew Tate, the controversial internet personality and former professional kickboxer, has been placed under house arrest by a Romanian court. This development comes as prosecutors investigate new allegations of sex trafficking involving minors.
The 37-year-old influencer, known for his self-proclaimed title as "the king of toxic masculinity," is prohibited from leaving his residence for 30 days. Romania's organized crime agency, DIICOT, is examining claims of human trafficking, including the exploitation of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, forming an organized criminal group, and money laundering.
The alleged offenses span from 2014 to 2024. Tristan Tate, Andrew's brother, is among the six individuals detained by masked police on August 21, 2024. A spokesperson for the Tates stated that they "firmly deny all allegations" and are committed to proving their innocence.
DIICOT reported that the defendants employed the coercive "loverboy" method to exploit 34 vulnerable victims, forcing them to produce online pornographic content for profit. The agency claims that over $2.8 million (£2.14 million) generated from these activities was retained by the accused.
During the police raids, authorities confiscated 16 luxury vehicles, a motorcycle, laptops, substantial cash amounts, high-end watches, and data storage devices from the Tates' property near Bucharest.
Andrew Tate addressed reporters outside the court, asserting that many alleged victims have provided statements in his defense. He pointed to the judge's decision not to remand him and his brother in custody, contrary to the prosecutors' request, stating, "This is a set-up, it's absolutely disgusting. Fair play to that judge who saw through the bulls--- and let us free."
With 9.9 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), Tate is notorious for expressing misogynistic views online. He has consistently claimed that prosecutors lack evidence against him and alleges a political conspiracy to silence him. Previously, Tate was banned from various social media platforms due to his controversial content and hate speech.
It's worth noting that Andrew Tate gained initial fame through his appearance on the British reality show Big Brother in 2016. He moved to Romania in 2017, citing a preference for the country's legal system. Tate has been involved in numerous controversies, including promoting harmful stereotypes and claiming to be a trillionaire, though this assertion is widely disputed.
The Tate brothers are already facing separate criminal allegations in Romania. Additionally, British authorities have requested their extradition to the UK to face charges of sexual aggression dating back to 2012. While the extradition request has been granted, the brothers will remain in Romania until the conclusion of their ongoing legal proceedings there.
"Many of the alleged victims in the new case have made statements in my defense."
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these new allegations will impact Andrew Tate's controversial online presence and his self-styled "alpha male" persona. The case continues to draw attention to issues of online influence, exploitation, and the responsibilities of social media personalities.