Andrew and Tristan Tate Released from Romanian Jail into House Arrest After Successful Appeal
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been released from a Romanian jail into house arrest after a successful appeal against their detention in December 2021.[0] The brothers, along with two associates, have been under investigation for alleged rape, people trafficking, and forming an organized crime group.[1] The investigation began in April 2021, and since then, six women have been identified by prosecutors as victims.[1] Leaked court documents obtained by the BBC highlighted the evidence from alleged victims, claiming they were forced to earn €10,000 (£8,800) a month on social media platforms, under the alleged threat of physical violence.[2]
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer, gained notoriety online for his controversial views and sexist comments, with Twitter banning him from the platform for saying women should “bear responsibility” for being sexually assaulted.[3] He was also removed from British TV show Big Brother in 2016 over a video that allegedly showed him attacking a woman.[4] However, Tate hit back, claiming the video was consensual and that he was “acting out a role play.”[4]
The brothers were arrested on December 29, 2021, along with two other suspects, and have been held in pre-trial detention ever since, which was again extended last week. Andrew Tate's Twitter account was allowed back after Elon Musk bought the company.[5] In January, Romanian authorities descended on a compound near Bucharest linked with the Tate brothers and towed away a fleet of luxury cars that included a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari, and a Porsche.[6] Assets with an approximate value of $3.9 million were reported as seized.[6]
Lawyers for Mr Tate argued that keeping him in preventative custody is unnecessarily harsh when other judicial options such as house arrest are available.[3] A spokesperson for the Tate brothers said last week, following a previous attempt at release: “The court has decided to extend the Tate brothers’ preventative arrest. We have been rendered speechless by the news.”[7]
Tate's investigation will continue as he remains under house arrest, after the Bucharest Court of Appeal ruled in his favor.[8] Andrew Tate's communications director, Mateea Petrescu, told Sky News: “They are not a flight risk, and they are not a danger to public safety; therefore, [the authorities] have decided to release them under house arrest.”[0] Speaking after his release, Tate said: “Freedom at last.[9] It's a bit emotional.[9] I've been in one room since last year, so it's a little bit emotional.[9] I wanna give respect firstly to the judges who heard us today because they were very attentive and they listened to us and let us free, so I have to give absolute respect to them.[10] I have no resentment in my heart for the country of Romania or anyone else.[10] I just believe in the truth.[9] I believe in God, and the fire of truth will eventually destroy all lies, and anybody who lies on a long enough time frame will feel the sting of regret, and I believe in this.[10]
0. “Andrew Tate released from jail in Romania and placed under house arrest” Sky News, 31 Mar. 2023, https://news.sky.com/story/andrew-tate-released-from-jail-and-placed-under-house-arrest-his-spokesperson-says-12846734
1. “Is Andrew Tate released from Romanian prison?: details inside” Geo News, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.geo.tv/latest/479640-is-andrew-tate-released-from-romanian-prison-details-inside
2. “Andrew Tate and brother to be moved to house arrest” BBC, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65144651
3. “Andrew Tate and his brother ‘ecstatic' after they are released from Romanian prison and placed under house…” LBC, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/andrew-tate-and-brother-released-under-house-arrest-in-romania-with-immediate-ef/
4. “Andrew Tate freed from Romanian prison after being locked up for three months” Express, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1753513/Andrew-Tate-Romania-prison-release
5. “Tate to leave Romanian jail, be put under house arrest” RTE.ie, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2023/0331/1367587-andrew-tate/
6. “Andrew Tate released from jail after winning appeal, isn't out of the woods yet” Marca English, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/celebrities/2023/03/31/6427564a268e3e121c8b45ec.html
7. “Andrew Tate and brother Tristan spotted for first time as they leave prison” The Mirror, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/breaking-andrew-tate-tristan-prison-29602612
8. “Andrew Tate free from Romanian ‘cockroach' jail hell after 3 months of appeals” Daily Star, 29 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/andrew-tate-free-romanian-cockroach-29578679
9. “Freed Andrew Tate says he has ‘absolute clarity of thought' after house arrest release from jail” Daily Mail, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11925887/Andrew-Tate-brother-two-alleged-female-accomplices-RELEASED-house-arrest.html
10. “Andrew Tate reveals his next plan in first emotional speech since releasing from jail” The News International, 1 Apr. 2023, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1056206-what-will-andrew-tate-do-first-after-being-released-from-jail
