On Wednesday, Romanian authorities conducted raids at the residence of Andrew and Tristan Tate, former kickboxers who have since become influencers.
The raids were part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of human trafficking involving the British-American brothers, which has now expanded to include accusations of trafficking minors.
Media reports indicate that the searches took place at four properties in Bucharest and Ilfov County as part of the criminal case against the Tate brothers.
In a statement, Romania’s Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) said that it carried out four search warrants “in a criminal case regarding the commission of the crimes of setting up an organized criminal group, trafficking of minors, human trafficking, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements and money laundering.”
“We specify that, throughout the entire criminal process, the investigated persons benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as from the presumption of innocence,” DIICOT added.
In 2022, the Tate brothers and two Romanian women were arrested and imprisoned, but were later placed under house arrest. They have been granted permission to travel within Romania as they await their trial.
Andrew Tate Indicted in Romanian Human Trafficking Probehttps://t.co/Rs0dahYWZl
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 20, 2023
They have been accused by authorities of engaging in rape and human trafficking, allegedly using deceptive promises of love and marriage to entice women to travel to Romania with the intention of recruiting them into their previous webcam pornography enterprise.
All four individuals have refuted the accusations, asserting that they are politically motivated due to Andrew Tate’s significant social media presence, where he has millions of followers and promotes anti-establishment and anti-feminist viewpoints.
In a post on X following the raid on his home on Wednesday, Andrew Tate wrote: “9 hours into the house search and an armed police officer looks at me apologetically and shrugs his shoulders. He said ‘You’ve made somebody very angry’.”
9 hours into the house search and an armed police officer looks at me apologetically and shrugs his shoulders.
He said "You've made somebody very angry"
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) August 21, 2024
Mr. Tate also asserted: “The ‘minor’ they are talking about is 24 years old. But because she first followed me years ago, when she was 17. They say I INTENDED TO traffic her. Even though, I literally did nothing to her and we’ve been friends for years. Matrix Attack.”
The "minor" they are talking about is 24 years old.
But because she first followed me years ago, when she was 17.
They say I INTENDED TO traffic her.
Even though, I literally did nothing to her and we've been friends for years.
Matrix Attack. https://t.co/mexqdlyb0g
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) August 21, 2024
The Tate brothers are also wanted in the United Kingdom for an alleged sexual assault case that occurred before they relocated to Romania.
The Bucharest Court of Appeal has granted the request for their extradition, but it will only proceed after their legal proceedings in Romania are concluded.
Schools Must Teach Children About Dangers Posed by the Likes of Andrew Tate, UK Police Say https://t.co/HkEBCRV71d
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) March 13, 2023
