Online influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been detained in Romania on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the UK over allegations of “sexual aggression,” according to their representative.
The UK case against the two brothers, who were detained on Monday for 24 hours, dates back to 2012-2015, Andrew Tate’s spokesperson Mateea Petrescu has said. The warrant was issued by the Westminster Magistrates Court.
Tate caused controversy among subscribers after he said in October 2017 that people who are raped “bear some responsibility” and that women are the property of their husbands.
Last year, four women announced that they were preparing to sue Andrew Tate in London’s High Court, alleging that he had raped them. Three of these women had previously reported Tate to the police for what they claimed was sexual violence and physical abuse, but the UK authorities decided against prosecuting him. The alleged victims then turned to crowdfunding to pursue a civil case against him.
The Bucharest Court of Appeal is set to make a “pivotal decision” on Tuesday on whether to “execute the mandate,” Petrescu said, adding that the brothers could be held for longer than 24 hours.
“They categorically reject all charges and express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence,” the statement said.