Andrew Tate Arrested

Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, have been detained by authorities in Romania over a U.K. arrest warrant.

The Context

The influencers also face criminal charges in Romania over allegations of human trafficking, tampering with evidence, using violence to coerce women into sex work and, in Andrew Tate's case, two charges of rape.

The brothers said they "categorically reject all charges," in a statement to Newsweek regarding the new warrant. They have also denied wrongdoing in their Romanian criminal case.

What We Know

The U.K. arrest warrant is in regard to allegations of "sexual aggression" between 2012 and 2015.

The Tates were taken into 24-hour custody by Romanian authorities, where they were presented with a European arrest warrant on behalf of U.K. authorities.

According to a statement provided to Newsweek from Tate's representatives, the warrant is for the alleged crime of "sexual aggression," during multiple incidents between 2012 and 2015.

Tate is facing a civil lawsuit by four women in the U.K. who accused him of multiple crimes against them between 2013 and 2016, including rape, physical violence and coercive control. He has also denied these claims. It is not known if these alleged incidences are related to the U.K. arrest warrant.

Newsweek contacted the women's lawyers and the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by email for comment.

Under British law, there is no specific crime specifically relating to the term "sexual aggression."

Romanian police confirmed to Newsweek the men were presented to the Bucharest Court of Appeal on Monday, which decided to hold them in detention for 24 hours. Police confirmed they held on suspicion of committing sexual offences and "exploiting some people in the territory of Great Britain."

Views

The Tate brothers have rejected the U.K. warrant, saying the allegations were "resurfacing from the shadows" after the CPS decided not to pursue criminal legal action between 2017 and 2019.

"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," the Tates' Romanian representatives said.

They also suggested the Tates' "rise to fame" was a motive for the warrant to be executed.

"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 emphasise their belief in a fair and impartial legal process, despite the unsettling circumstances surrounding their case."

What's Next?

The Bucharest Court of Appeal will hear a motion on Tuesday as to whether it should execute the U.K. arrest warrant.

The Tates' statement said the court would hear their appeal on Tuesday. Newsweek could not verify this and found only a hearing scheduled for Wednesday for the brothers' pending criminal trial in Romania and their two alleged female accomplices.

"As the Bucharest Court of Appeal convenes today, the Tate brothers are making a public appeal to the court to consider the broader implications of this case and its potential impact on justice and due process," their statement read.

Tate started his public career as a professional kickboxer, but made headlines when he appeared as a contestant on the U.K. version of the reality TV series Big Brother in 2015. During his time on the show he made sexist comments and was later kicked out of the house by producers. He claimed they removed him after a video of him hitting a woman with a belt was leaked while he was on the show. Tate claimed the act was consensual.

However, show producers confirmed to Newsweek he was removed from the house after they learned he was the subject of a police investigation for sexual assault.

"As soon as we were made aware by Hertfordshire Police on 8th June 2016 that Andrew Tate was being investigated by the police, we began a process of extensive consultation with Channel 5, and legal teams, including the lawyers representing Andrew Tate," a spokesperson for Banijay UK said in December. Banijay purchased Endemol, which had previously produced Big Brother, in 2020.

Tate went on to gain notoriety for providing courses to men on how to be "masculine" and become rich. He described himself as the "king of toxic masculinity." However, many have described his views as problematic because of his derogatory remarks about women and LGBTQ+ people.

Domestic violence organizations accused Tate of radicalizing boys and men and he was temporarily barred from a number of social media platforms, including Twitter and Instagram.

In 2013, an unnamed woman accused Tate of rape in the U.K., but police did not charge him with a crime. Two other women accused Tate of similar treatment but prosecutors decided in 2019 not to pursue charges.

Update, 03/12/2024, 5:05 a.m. ET. This article was updated to include additional information.

Update, 03/12/2024, 6:30 a.m. ET. This article was updated to include comment from Romanian police.