Andrew and Tristan Tate have returned to Romania to comply with a court-mandated order requiring them to present themselves to authorities.
The brothers, facing allegations of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang for sexual exploitation, checked in at a police station in Voluntari on Monday.
Speaking to reporters outside the station, Andrew Tate stated, “I’m a free person who has not been convicted of anything,” and affirmed his commitment to following legal requirements, saying, “I comply with all judicial authorities everywhere around the world because I’m completely innocent.”
The brothers were indicted last year following their 2022 arrest in Romania. Prosecutors allege that the Tates, both US and British citizens, were involved in a criminal operation that lured women to Romania for exploitation.
Andrew Tate, a former MMA fighter and social media personality, has also been charged with rape. Both men have denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.
Although the case has not gone to trial due to prosecutorial irregularities, the court has upheld judicial control measures, requiring them to report periodically to authorities.
Their return to Romania comes just days after they left Florida, where they arrived last month following the lifting of a two-year Romanian travel ban. However, their presence in the U.S. sparked controversy, with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announcing a “preliminary inquiry” into their activities. |
On March 4, an investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate was launched, with Uthmeier stating, “Florida has zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women. If any of these alleged crimes trigger Florida jurisdiction, we will hold them accountable.”
In response, Andrew Tate criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, saying, “The media jumped on him and he didn’t realize I was an American citizen. Now he understands he made a mistake, [and] there’ve been some conversations and everything has been settled.”
The Tates’ legal challenges extend beyond Romania. Four British women have filed civil lawsuits in the UK after the Crown Prosecution Service chose not to pursue criminal charges.
Additionally, UK authorities have issued arrest warrants for the brothers over sexual aggression allegations dating back to 2012, meaning they could face extradition after their Romanian legal proceedings conclude.
Despite the accusations, Andrew Tate maintains his stance, telling reporters, “It doesn’t matter what you’re accused of, it matters what you are proven guilty to have done in a fair court of law. Accusations mean nothing. It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat an accusation on the news. That is garbage.”
(FOX News)
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