A Romanian court on Friday eased travel restrictions on controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, allowing them to travel within the European Union while awaiting trial for human trafficking and rape charges.
US-born Briton Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, who claim innocence, are accused of forming an organized criminal network in early 2021 in Romania and Britain.
The former professional kickboxer and his brother face charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal group to sexually exploit women.
The Bucharest court on Friday ruled to “replace the obligation of the defendants not to leave the territory of Romania with the obligation of the defendants not to leave the territorial limit of the European Union.”
They can only leave the EU zone with “prior authorization from the judge of the preliminary chamber or the court,” the court stated.
The brothers will still be under judicial supervision, requiring them to regularly appear before authorities.
The Tates’ spokeswoman, Mateea Petrescu, welcomed the ruling, stating her clients could now “pursue professional opportunities without restriction.”
At the end of 2022, the Tates were arrested in Romania and spent three months in detention before being indicted in June 2023.
Prosecutors allege that 37-year-old Tate, his brother, and two women set up a criminal organization and sexually exploited several victims.
The victims were allegedly forced into pornographic acts.
The Tates also face rape and assault allegations in separate cases in Britain, where authorities issued a European arrest warrant.
In March, a Romanian judge ordered the brothers’ extradition to the UK to face these accusations, but only after the separate Romanian criminal case against them is concluded.
A trial date in Romania has not yet been set.
Tate moved to Romania years ago after starting a webcam business in the UK.
In 2016, Tate appeared on the “Big Brother” reality television show in Britain but was removed after a video emerged showing him attacking a woman.
He then turned to social media platforms to promote his divisive views.
Giving tips on how to be successful, along with misogynistic and sometimes violent maxims, his videos have made him one of the world’s best-known influencers.
