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Andrew Tate to be extradited to UK to face rape and human trafficking allegations

Both he and his brother Tristan will be extradited after their Romanian trial has concluded

Holly Evans
Tuesday 12 March 2024 17:52 GMT
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Andrew Tate detained in Romania following UK arrest warrant

Andrew Tate will be extradited to the UK to face allegations of sexual aggression after his Romanian trial proceedings have concluded, a court has ruled.

Bedfordshire Police said the force has obtained a European arrest warrant and is working with authorities in Romania.

Controversial influencer Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan, 35, were detained on Tuesday after the UK authorities issued a warrant for charges dating from 2012 to 2015.

Appearing at Bucharest Court of Appeal, a judge approved their extradition for when their trial for separate offences of rape and human trafficking ends. They have both been released from police custody following the hearing.

It comes after lawyers representing four women who accuse Tate of rape and sexual assault wrote to UK police to request his detention over fears he would flee Romania.

Andrew Tate and his brother being escorted into the court hearing
Andrew Tate and his brother being escorted into the court hearing (Getty)

A statement from law firm McCue Jury & Partners, the lawyers acting on behalf of Tateā€™s British accusers, said: ā€œLast week, we received information that Tate might have been planning to flee Romania, where he is due to stand trial for separate allegations of rape and human trafficking.

ā€œWe wrote to the British police to bring this to their attention and to urge them to immediately seek a warrant for Tateā€™s detention in Romania and extradition to the UK.ā€

It is believed this may have been sparked by comments made by blogger Adin Ross, who told his followers during a Kick live stream on 5 March that he had received a text from Tate, who told him he was leaving Romania for good.

In response, a spokesperson for the Tate brothers said they ā€œunequivocally denyā€ accusations that they intended to abscond to evade judicial proceedings, adding they were committed to participating in the legal process.

A police officer escorts Andrew Tate from the appeal court in Bucharest, Romania
A police officer escorts Andrew Tate from the appeal court in Bucharest, Romania (AP)

ā€œWe believe this rumour 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,ā€ their spokesperson said.

The law firm representing the four women said the accusations were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary closed in 2019, with the Crown Prosecution Service deciding against pursuing charges.

The women announced last year they were preparing to sue Tate in Londonā€™s High Court and launched a campaign page, which said it was their ā€œone remaining route to hold him accountableā€.

It is understood the current arrest warrant, issued by Westminster Magistratesā€™ Court, relates to other alleged offences being investigated by Bedfordshire Police.

In a short statement issued on Tuesday, the Tatesā€™ representative said: ā€œThis bewildering revival of decade-old accusations has left the Tate brothers dismayed and deeply troubled.

ā€œThey categorically reject all charges and express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence.

Both Tate and his brother ā€˜categorically denyā€™ the allegations
Both Tate and his brother ā€˜categorically denyā€™ the allegations (AP)

ā€œThe Tate brothers assert that the timing and circumstances surrounding the reappearance of these allegations raise serious questions about the motives behind this legal action.

ā€œThe suggestion that Mr Tateā€™s rise to fame may have played a role in these developments adds another layer of distress and concern.ā€

While his lawyer spoke to reporters outside of court, Tate has only tweeted on the platform Twitter/X: ā€œThe Matrix is afraid, but I only fear God.ā€ The ā€œMatrixā€ is a term that he uses to refer to a supposed wide-ranging conspiracy targeting men.

The Tate brothers are also charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women in a separate case in Romania after being arrested in the countryā€™s capital in December 2022 alongside two Romanian women.

Andrew Tate and his brother leaving Bucharest Court of Appeal
Andrew Tate and his brother leaving Bucharest Court of Appeal (AFP via Getty Images)

They have denied the charges and are awaiting trial, with Tate winning an appeal in August 2023 to be released from house arrest. Both brothers are now able to travel within Romania but cannot leave the country, with their recent request to visit their hospitalised mother in the UK turned down.

In January, a Romanian court also overturned a decision to seize their assets, which included 15 supercars, more than 10 properties and 14 designer watches.

Former kickboxer Tate has attracted millions of followers in recent years by styling himself as the ā€œking of toxic masculinityā€ on social media.

He has since been banned from certain platforms including Facebook and Instagram for espousing misogynistic views, which included that women were the property of their husbands.

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