Controversial brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have been arrested in Romania on a European Arrest Warrant issued by UK police.
The charges, dating back to 2012-2015, include allegations of sexual aggression which have resurfaced after previously being dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2017-2019.
The Bucharest Court of Appeal is slated to make a pivotal decision today on whether to execute the mandate.
A spokesperson for the brothers described their arrest as ‘a bewildering revival of decade-old accusations has left the Tate brothers dismayed and deeply troubled.
‘They categorically reject all charges and express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence.
‘The Tate brothers assert that the timing and circumstances surrounding the reappearance of these allegations raise serious questions about the motives behind this legal action.’
Andrew Tate has been arrested in Romania on a UK-issued warrant
FILE: Andrew Tate, left, and his brother Tristan, centre, arrive at the Bucharest Tribunal, in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, April 21, 2023
Former professional kickboxer and social media influencer Andrew Tate (C), followed by his brother Tristan (L), arrives for an appeal against preventive detention at the Bucharest Court of Appeal, in Bucharest, Romania, 01 August 2023
The statement continued: ‘The suggestion that Mr Tate’s rise to fame may have played a role in these developments adds another layer of distress and concern.
‘Andrew and Tristan Tate unequivocally deny all allegations and decry what they perceive as an exploitative use of the legal system.
‘They are fully committed to challenging these accusations with unwavering determination and resolve.
‘The brothers emphasise their belief in a fair and impartial legal process, despite the unsettling circumstances surrounding their case.
‘In the face of adversity, the Tate brothers draw strength from the support of their loved ones, friends, and legal team.
‘They appeal for a fair examination of the facts, expressing confidence that a thorough review will reveal the baselessness of the allegations against them.’
It was not immediately clear which UK force had issued the warrant.
Romanian police told :’ On March 11 this year, at around 11:15pm, the police officers of the Criminal Investigation Service, the Special Actions Service and police officers from the Volunteers implemented two European arrest warrants, issued by the judicial authorities in Great Britain, for committing sexual crimes, exploiting some people on the territory of Great Britain.’
In 2019 Hertfordshire police investigated allegations of rape made against Andrew Tate but the case was dropped.
The arrests come just weeks after Andrew Tate was forced to take a drug test and had his car searched after being pulled over by police in Bucharest as he continues to face sex trafficking charges.
The British-American influencer, 37, who has been described as the ‘king of toxic masculinity’, was driving his black Ferrari through the streets of the Romanian capital on Saturday night when he was stopped.
An awkward exchange between the former kickboxer and officers was caught on camera by a Romanian TV station, which was filming the police’s crackdown on drink and drug drivers at the time.
‘The sponge must be filled with saliva, and when this indicator is blue, we will put it in the drug test machine… Did you understand?’ he is asked in one clip with one test he performs while sitting in the car.
He can then be seen getting out of the vehicle, opening up his car for the officer and sniffer dogs to search, and carrying out another test while standing on the road.
The British-American influencer, 37, was driving his black Ferrari through the streets of the Romanian capital on Saturday night
An awkward exchange between the former kickboxer and officers was caught on camera by a Romanian TV station
The results came back negative for Tate, with a screen appearing showing that no cocaine, ketamine, or other drugs were found in his system.
The influencer then drives off in his car after being given the all-clear by cops, who said they fined more than 200 drivers in one night.
As well as TV cameras, members of the public were seen filming Tate, who gained worldwide fame through his TikTok videos which have been criticised for spreading misogynistic messages.
A spokesperson for Andrew Tate said in a statement: ‘It was a routine stop by the authorities in Romania. Andrew tested negative.
‘It must have been a coincidence that the media were there at the same time this routine check was being carried out.’
Tate and his brother Tristan are facing rape and human trafficking charges in Romania, where they have lived since 2017, and are awaiting trial on a date which is yet to be set.
The influencer is filmed driving off in his car after being given the all-clear by cops
Tate can be seen performing one test while sat in the driver’s seat of his black Ferrari
They were detained in December 2022, and were previously in prison before being put under house arrest – which they were under before winning an appeal to be released in August last year.
In January 2023, prosecutors seized 10 properties and homes belonging to the brothers, as well as 15 luxury vehicles.
Speaking to reporters after the ruling, the petrolhead said: ‘They took a lot of stuff… 15 cars, and they took a lot of things of a lot of value. It’d be nice to get my things back.’
Petrolhead Tate has a fleet of luxury cars, which he was only recently granted access to after they were confiscated
He was granted access to the vehicles again just last month, when the Bucharest Court of Appeal overturned the decision which allowed his possessions to be confiscated.
Tate’s legal counsel Eugen Vidineac, said after the appeal court’s ruling: ‘We salute the decision today and applaud the judge for what we consider to be a legally correct and justified ruling.
‘We will continue to explore all legal avenues to redeem the reputation of my clients.’