Online influencer Andrew Tate detained in Romania after UK issues arrest warrant over alleged sexual aggression

Andrew Tate, the controversial social media influencer and self-proclaimed misogynist, was detained in Romania on Monday and served with an arrest warrant issued by U.K. authorities, the latest incident involving the figure, who has separately been charged with rape and human trafficking in Romania.

Tate and his brother Tristan were detained Monday evening in Bucharest and will be held for 24 hours, their spokesperson told several news outlets.

The British warrant is based on allegations of sexual aggression dating back to a period between 2012 and 2015, according to the BBC.

The Tate brothers’ spokesperson told the Associated Press that a court in the Romanian capital will now make a “pivotal decision” Tuesday on whether to execute the British-issued warrants.

The spokesperson said the brothers rejected all charges and “express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence.”

CRUCIAL QUOTE

In a post on X, Tate wrote: “The Matrix is afraid, but I only fear God.”

KEY BACKGROUND

Tate was first detained by Romanian authorities in December 2022 as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking and rape. His detention was extended for several months before he was finally placed under house arrest in March last year. In June last year, Romanian prosecutors upgraded charges against Tate and his brother to “human trafficking in continued form,” a more serious offense.

 A ruling is yet to be made in this case but officials in Bucharest seized assets worth $3.9 million from the brothers and their associates, including 15 luxury cars and cash in several currencies. As his case in Romania progressed, four British women came forward and accused Tate of sexual assault and rape.