Andrew Tate, the controversial internet influencer, has been placed under house arrest by a Romanian judge amid a fresh investigation into serious allegations, which include sexual misconduct involving a minor and the trafficking of underage individuals. On Thursday afternoon, both Andrew and his brother Tristan appeared in court, where Tristan was subjected to special judicial control.
Prosecutors sought to detain the Tate brothers for 30 days as the investigation unfolds, which involves a troubling total of 35 alleged victims, one of whom was just 15 years old at the time of the incidents. The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) reported the detention of six individuals in connection with the case, comprising both Romanian and foreign nationals.
Outside the court, Andrew Tate vehemently refuted the allegations, labeling the case a “stitch-up” filled with lies. He claimed, “This is a set-up. It is absolutely disgusting. Thirty of those girls say we have done nothing wrong.” Despite the serious charges, which include human trafficking and rape, the Tate brothers maintain their innocence.
These new charges are separate from previous allegations that the brothers faced, and the anti-organized crime agency asserts that they groomed vulnerable individuals, coercing them into producing pornographic material. One foreign suspect is accused of compelling a 17-year-old to perform sexual acts for online video content while pocketing profits of approximately $1.5 million. Additionally, this same individual allegedly engaged in sexual relations with a girl he met when she was 15.
After enduring hours of questioning, Andrew Tate characterized the accusations as “pathetic” and indicative of desperate prosecutorial efforts. He also highlighted claims of being accused of manipulating the mother of his children, a tactic often employed by criminals to exploit their victims’ vulnerabilities.
With a considerable online following, Andrew Tate has suggested that the allegations are part of a broader conspiracy to silence him. Prosecutors further allege that the brothers purchased four luxury vehicles, registering them under different names to obfuscate their illicit earnings, which they claim total approximately $2.8 million due to sexual exploitation.
The individuals detained in this case are also accused of attempting to intimidate both victims and witnesses. Following a comprehensive search of four properties, investigators seized significant assets, including cash, luxury watches, electronics, and 16 high-end vehicles. The Tate brothers, along with four other Romanian citizens, were taken into custody late Wednesday night after extensive questioning and later appeared in court for a formal hearing.
