Andrew Tate Arrest Update: Women Who Tipped Off Police Speak Out

Lawyers representing the women suing Andrew Tate for alleged sexual assault were the ones who tipped off police, leading to an arrest warrant being issued for the internet personality.

Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, were detained by the Special Operations Directorate of the Romanian police after a warrant was issued for them in the U.K.

They were taken into custody on Monday and faced the Bucharest Court of Appeal which decided to detain them for 24 hours. Romanian police confirmed to Newsweek the warrant includes charges of sexual offenses and "exploiting some people in the territory of Great Britain."

The men "categorically reject all charges" and await the decision of the Court as to whether or not it will execute the warrant. They are also facing a criminal trial in Romania on accusations of human trafficking, tampering with evidence and forcing women into sex work by threatening them with violence. Andrew Tate is also accused of two counts of rape, charges he denies.

Part of the Tates' bail condition in their Romanian trial is that they are not allowed to travel outside of the country without a court's permission. However, Andrew Tate may have slipped up by revealing his plans to flee the country.

The lawyers at McCue Jury & Partners, who are representing four women suing Tate over various allegations including rape, sexual assault and violence, alerted British police about his alleged plans to leave Romania.

"Last week, we received information that [Andrew] Tate might have been planning to flee Romania... we wrote to the British police to bring this to their attention and to urge them to immediately seek a warrant for Tate's detention in Romania and extradition to the U.K.," a spokesperson for the law firm told Newsweek.

They were alerted to a video made by online streamer Adin Ross who read out a message he allegedly received from Andrew Tate saying he was going to be leaving Romania soon.

"Andrew [Tate] had hit me up and he said, 'Hey I'm gonna be leaving Romania soon and probably never coming back. If you want to come over and do a week of long streams and content before I leave, I think it'll be big and it's now or never'," the streamer said in an online appearance in early March.

"And again guys, it might be the last time we ever do this, so it's kind of like we got to take advantage of it now," Ross added of his potential collaboration with Andrew Tate.

"We unequivocally deny any accusations that Andrew or Tristan Tate intends to abscond from Romania to evade the judicial proceedings. Our clients are fully committed to actively participating in the legal process and defending their reputation," a spokesperson for Tate told Newsweek when approached for comment.

"We believe this rumor has originated from a popular online influencer who misconstrued a text message from our clients while streaming live. There is simply no truth to it."

Matthew Jury, the managing partner at the firm representing the women, said the detainment of Andrew Tate was "very welcome as it has been a significant concern to many that Tate would seek to avoid justice in Romania and abroad."

"We are grateful to the British authorities for taking our concerns seriously and issuing an arrest warrant," he told Newsweek.

Jury accused Andrew Tate of spreading a "vast amount of disinformation about the criminal allegations he faces in the U.K." in interviews with the likes of Piers Morgan and Tucker Carlson.

"Allowing Tate to spread disinformation about the allegations of criminality he faces, not just in the U.K., only helps to support and spread his toxic influence further amongst vulnerable young men and boys, something we should all be seeking to put an end to," Jury added.

The Tates' representatives denied any wrongdoing in a statement to Newsweek.

"This bewildering revival of decade-old accusations has left the Tate brothers dismayed and deeply troubled. They categorically reject all charges and express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence," their Romanian representatives said.

"Andrew and Tristan Tate unequivocally deny all allegations and decry what they perceive as an exploitative use of the legal system," the statement continued.

"They are fully committed to challenging these accusations with unwavering determination and resolve. The brothers emphasize their belief in a fair and impartial legal process, despite the unsettling circumstances surrounding their case."

Self-described as the "king of toxic masculinity," Tate was a professional kickboxer before rising to infamy as a contestant on reality TV series Big Brother U.K., where he became known for his controversial opinions deemed to be homophobic, racist and sexist. He was removed from the house when producers learned he was under criminal investigation by police for sexual assault.

He went on the create an internet personality where he trained men through his 'Hustler's University' to be more masculine and make money. In one online interview, he told his questioner: "I am absolutely sexist, and I'm absolutely a misogynist."

Tate was also temporarily banned from social media sites such as X and Instagram for his controversial opinions, while domestic violence organizations have accused him of radicalizing boys and men.