Romanian police conducted fresh raids at the residence of controversial internet personality Andrew Tate, who is currently awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
The raids, carried out by masked officers, were part of a broader investigation led by Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT.
The agency revealed that it was searching four properties in Bucharest and nearby Ilfov county, probing allegations of human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual exploitation of a minor, witness tampering, and money laundering. DIICOT stated that hearings would later take place at its headquarters.
In response to the raids, Tate’s spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, acknowledged that while the charges mentioned in the search warrant were not fully clear, they included suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering. Petrescu did not comment on the allegations related to minors.
Dozens of police officers and forensic experts combed through Tate’s extensive property on the outskirts of Bucharest.
DIICOT emphasized that throughout the investigation, the accused individuals are entitled to procedural rights and guarantees under the Criminal Procedure Code, including the presumption of innocence.
Andrew Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan, 36, both former kickboxers and dual British-US citizens, were arrested in 2022 near Bucharest alongside two Romanian women.
Romanian prosecutors formally charged all four last year, but the accused have denied all allegations.
The July 5 ruling permitting their travel within the EU was deemed final.
He had previously been banned from several social media platforms for promoting hate speech and misogyny.
