Right-wing influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have left Romania for the United States, as prosecutors lifted a travel ban on them. They are currently under investigation for allegations including human trafficking.
The brothers, who hold dual United Kingdom and US citizenship, departed Bucharest, Romania’s capital, on Thursday morning on a private jet headed for Florida, various media outlets reported. The anti-organised crime agency DIICOT stated that it had approved a modification to their travel ban.
Andrew Tate, 38, a former kickboxer, and his brother Tristan, 36, were detained in 2022 by Romanian prosecutors on charges of setting up a criminal organization in Romania and the UK in 2021. The allegations against them also include human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, and money laundering. The brothers deny all accusations.
Previously, the Tate brothers were prohibited from leaving Romania, but this restriction has now been lifted. Prosecutors announced, “The request to change the obligation of not leaving Romania was approved.”” They must still comply with other obligations, such as reporting to judicial authorities when summoned.
DIICOT stated that the Tates are under judicial supervision and must respond to any summons from judicial authorities. Violations done in bad faith may result in harsher penalties.
On Thursday, a Bucharest court decided in favor of an appeal by the Tates to release the seizure of multiple assets, including luxury vehicles, land, properties, and company shares. Bank accounts that were previously frozen have been unfrozen as well.
The departure of the Tate brothers follows a statement by Romania’s Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu mentioning them during a brief meeting with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell at the Munich Security Conference. Hurezeanu denied facing any pressure to lift restrictions on the Tates, despite claims by sources cited in the Financial Times.
According to former judge Cristi Danilet from Cluj, any bilateral agreement on lifting the preventative measure would be unprecedented and could signal a lack of rule of law.
‘Major risk’
Last year, Romanian authorities formally indicted the Tate brothers and two Romanian women. All four have denied the allegations. A previous criminal case was unsuccessful due to flaws in the indictment, leading the Bucharest court of appeals to send the files back to prosecutors in December.
While awaiting the completion of the ongoing criminal investigation, the Tate brothers are under judicial control, requiring them to check in regularly with the police. There is also a British arrest warrant for sexual aggression allegations from 2012 to 2015, with plans for extradition after the Romanian trial.
In a joint statement, four British women who brought the allegations expressed disbelief and highlighted the risk of criminal proceedings being halted in Romania. They called for action to ensure that justice is served in the UK. The spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office declined to comment on extradition.
Andrew Tate, a self-described misogynist and social media influencer, has faced backlash for promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say degrades women.
