Romania: Influencer Andrew Tate's detention extended for a month

Europe 1 with AFP 3:10 p.m., January 20, 2023

A Bucharest court on Friday extended the detention of controversial British influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, who were arrested in late December as part of a pimping investigation.

“At the request of the prosecutors, the court has accepted the extension of the pre-trial detention of the two Tate brothers until February 27,” a spokeswoman for the prosecution in charge of the fight against organized crime (DIICOT) told AFP. ), Ramona Bolla.

Former kickboxers Andrew Tate, 36, and Tristan, 34, are charged with "forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking and rape", allegations they deny.

They can remain behind bars for up to 180 days pending possible indictment.

Two of their relatives, of Romanian nationality, were also arrested on December 29, during a vast operation carried out after several months of investigation.

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Prostitution and pornographic films

The network, which had been operating since 2019, recruited "several victims, including minors", for the purpose of sexual exploitation", according to details provided in mid-January by the prosecution. They were duped by the two men who simulated feelings towards them, before being forced into prostitution and the production of pornographic films.Sixteen telephones and computer equipment "intended for videochat activities" were found in the various places searched, including several properties of the two brothers.

Many property belonging to them, including a collection of luxury cars, have also been seized since the end of December and placed under seal.

The investigators reported 15 automobiles and 14 luxury watches as well as "several sums of money", for a total "of approximately 18 million lei (3.6 million euros). The judges had previously invoked the "risk of absconding" and the "danger to public order" to justify the continued detention of the defendants.

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Followed by 4.5 million people

Andrew Tate, who also has an American passport, appeared on the television show Big Brother in 2016. He was eliminated from the competition after a video showed him hitting a woman.

He had been suspended from several social networks for misogynistic remarks, but his Twitter account was recently reinstated.

Followed by 4.5 million people, he was noticed shortly before his arrest by a very lively and abundantly commented exchange with the Swedish ecologist Greta Thunberg.

Shaved head, well-trimmed beard and prominent muscles, the 30-year-old claims to be a multimillionaire and gives advice to men to help them become rich via “Hustler University”, a paid coaching website which claims more than 160,000 customers.