Romania’s justice minister has called for an investigation into why controversial online influencer Andrew Tate and his brother were allowed to leave the country despite facing serious criminal charges.
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan left Romania on a private flight to the U.S. on Thursday, arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after prosecutors lifted a two-year travel ban related to criminal charges against them.
The two remain under investigation in Romania on accusations of forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. They have denied all wrongdoing.
A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the brothers would return toward the end of March to fulfil legal obligations in Romania, which require them to check in with police at regular intervals.
The Financial Times reported last week that members of the Trump administration had pressured Romanian authorities to lift travel restrictions on the Tates, who hold dual U.S. and British citizenship.
But on Thursday Trump denied any knowledge of their release.
The two remain under investigation in Romania on accusations of forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. They have denied all wrongdoing.
A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the brothers would return toward the end of March to fulfil legal obligations in Romania, which require them to check in with police at regular intervals.
The Financial Times reported last week that members of the Trump administration had pressured Romanian authorities to lift travel restrictions on the Tates, who hold dual U.S. and British citizenship.
But on Thursday Trump denied any knowledge of their release.
Not welcome in Florida
After their arrival in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis said they were not welcome in the state.
“Florida does not welcome people engaged in such conduct,” DeSantis said, adding: “Our attorney general is looking into what jurisdictions allow us to take action.”
In the U.S., the brothers also face a civil case from a woman who alleges they coerced her into sex work and later defamed her after she provided evidence to Romanian authorities.
Romania’s justice minister, Radu Marinescu, said on Friday the Tate brothers could “risk pre-trial detention” if they fail to return to Romania for the ongoing investigations.
Marinescu said that he has asked the special prosecution service, the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), to “conduct any investigation necessary to uncover the truth” regarding why the brothers were allowed to leave the country.
“There are legal mechanisms in place to resolve this situation,” Marinescu said, presumably referring to the extradition treaty between the U.S. and Romania.
A self-described misogynist, Andrew Tate has gained millions of online fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say denigrates women.
The brothers were first arrested in Romania in 2022.
“Florida does not welcome people engaged in such conduct,” DeSantis said, adding: “Our attorney general is looking into what jurisdictions allow us to take action.”
In the U.S., the brothers also face a civil case from a woman who alleges they coerced her into sex work and later defamed her after she provided evidence to Romanian authorities.
Romania’s justice minister, Radu Marinescu, said on Friday the Tate brothers could “risk pre-trial detention” if they fail to return to Romania for the ongoing investigations.
Marinescu said that he has asked the special prosecution service, the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), to “conduct any investigation necessary to uncover the truth” regarding why the brothers were allowed to leave the country.
“There are legal mechanisms in place to resolve this situation,” Marinescu said, presumably referring to the extradition treaty between the U.S. and Romania.
A self-described misogynist, Andrew Tate has gained millions of online fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say denigrates women.
The brothers were first arrested in Romania in 2022.
More In Politics MORE...
