(Bucharest) Romanian justice carried out searches on Wednesday at the home of British masculinist influencer Andrew Tate, who is already awaiting trial for rape and human trafficking, as part of a new investigation.
Prosecutors “executed four search warrants” in connection with “crimes of forming an organized criminal group, trafficking in minors,” “sexual relations with a minor” and “money laundering,” the prosecutor’s office responsible for combating organized crime said in a statement.
They did not specify whether the searches concerned this influencer, one of the most famous in the world, and his brother, already suspected of having duped several victims including minors for the purposes of sexual exploitation.
But Andrew, 37, and Tristan, 36, confirmed “a raid this morning” on their home “as part of a search linked to a new investigation” concerning “suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering”, according to a statement from the spokeswoman.
PHOTO INQUAM PHOTOS/OCTAV GANEA, PROVIDED BY REUTERS
Police raid Andrew Tate’s home
They were arrested at the end of 2022 and spent three months in detention in Bucharest before being placed under judicial supervision with a ban on leaving the country.
Indicted in June 2023, they are accused of having trapped women by simulating feelings, before forcing them to produce pornographic films. Andrew Tate must also answer for two rapes.
The brothers, who deny all the allegations, are also the subject of a European arrest warrant issued by the British authorities for similar offences.
They are also accused of tax fraud in the United Kingdom for income of almost 25 million euros from activities on the internet.
The Romanian justice system had indicated that it was ready to accept their extradition, but only after their trial in Romania, which could take years. No date has yet been set.
Born in the United States in 1986, Andrew Tate has lived for several years in a villa near Bucharest in Romania, a country where he said he appreciated “the freedom” and “the fact that corruption is accessible to all.”
Banned from Instagram and TikTok for misogynistic comments, the ex-kickboxer is nevertheless followed by 9.9 million people on the social network X, a figure that is constantly increasing.
He shows off his muscles, smokes cigars, fascinates millions of teenagers with his luxury cars. He sells his advice to men to, he says, help them become rich.