Romanian authorities conducted four searches at the home of internet personality Andrew Tate, located near Bucharest, on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into serious allegations, including sex with a minor and human trafficking.
Tate, known for his controversial views on masculinity and gender, has gained millions of followers by promoting a hyper-masculine lifestyle that many critics argue is misogynistic.
In mid-2023, Tate, along with his brother Tristan and two female associates from Romania, faced indictments on charges of rape, human trafficking, and operating a criminal organization aimed at sexually exploiting women. All the accused have denied the allegations.
Reports indicate that around a dozen masked police officers arrived at Tate’s residence and took him away in a vehicle, as captured by a photographer from Reuters. While being escorted, Tate expressed frustration to reporters, stating, “Anything other than giving me a trial would put me in jail. No trial, no judge, this country is crazy,” and notably, he was not restrained with handcuffs.
The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) confirmed the execution of these searches in the Bucharest area and Ilfov County, focusing on a case involving alleged establishment of an organized criminal group, trafficking of minors, human trafficking, sexual relations with a minor, influencing witnesses, and money laundering.
According to representatives for Tate, the legal team for the brothers will ensure that all procedures are properly conducted following the confirmation of the search.
Although Tate had previously been granted the freedom to move within the European Union while awaiting trial on human trafficking allegations, that privilege was revoked by an appeals court in Romania in July.