Controversial influencer Andrew Tate kept in detention

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Romanian justice again rejected on Wednesday the request for the release of the American-British influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, arrested at the end of December in a pimping case.

La Bucharest Court of Appeal “deems the petitions filed” by the two men against their continued detention until at least February 27 to be unfounded, according to the decision consulted by AFP. 

The former kickboxers Andrew Tate, 36, and Tristan, 34, are charged with “forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking and rape”, allegations they deny.

“Ask them for proof, they won't give you any. Because there is none. You will find out the truth in this case soon,” the influencer told the press as he left the court, handcuffed and under police escort.

Tina Glandian, a renowned American lawyer who joined the team of defence, spoke of an empty file and “external pressures”, during a press conference in the Romanian capital.

Me Tina Glandian

“The Tate brothers, who are both US citizens, have been in jail for more than 30 days without the possibility of bail and without any charges brought against them,” she lamented, calling to make a difference with “their controversial public figures”.

The lawyer refuted any risk of flight, arguing that her clients “have known since April that they are the subject of an investigation” and have nevertheless remained in Romania. “They have ties to the country,” she insisted, adding that Tristan Tate was the father of a “three-week-old baby he still hasn't seen.”

Two Romanians, a former police officer and Andrew Tate's girlfriend, also remain behind bars. They were also arrested on December 29 during a vast operation carried out after several months of investigation.

The alleged network, which had been operating since 2019, allegedly recruited “several victims, including minors” for purposes “of sexual exploitation”, according to the prosecutor's office in charge of the fight against organized crime (DIICOT). 

They were duped by the two men who feigned feelings towards them, before being forced into prostitution and the production of pornographic films, say prosecutors.

Andrew Tate, who promotes masculinist theses, has in the past been suspended from several social networks for misogynistic remarks. < /p>

His Twitter account, which has 4.8 million followers, was recently restored. He coins his advice to men to help them become rich.