Andrew and Tristan Tate return to Romania as human trafficking case heats up
Tate brothers return to Bucharest, Romania after US visit (Photo: Getty Images)
Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have returned to Romania amid ongoing investigations into human trafficking and sexual exploitation charges, according to The Guardian.
Speaking to journalists outside their Bucharest residence shortly after arriving on Saturday, Andrew Tate declared: "We’re here to clear our names and exonerate ourselves."
The former kickboxing champion added, "After all we’ve been through, we truly deserve the day in court where it is stated that we’ve done nothing wrong and that we should have never been in court in the first place."
The brothers had left for the US in February after Romanian authorities lifted their travel ban but were ordered to return for a court appearance on March 24 or risk facing stricter legal measures.
On social media, Andrew told his followers he had spent $185,000 on a private jet just to "sign one single piece of paper in Romania," while claiming: "Innocent men don’t run from anything." The Tate brothers remain under judicial supervision in Romania and continue to deny all accusations of wrongdoing.
New and ongoing legal battles in multiple countries
Despite their vocal support for Donald Trump and speculation that political influence may have helped lift their travel ban, Andrew rejected such claims: "There’s no American pressure, there’s just the rule of law."
However, their arrival in the US triggered a separate investigation launched by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who said the brothers had "publicly admitted to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world."
Romanian prosecutors have also opened a second case, accusing the brothers of using manipulative "loverboy" tactics to coerce 34 women into producing pornographic content, generating nearly $3 million.
Meanwhile, in the UK, four women have filed a civil suit alleging sexual violence and physical abuse, after the Crown Prosecution Service declined to pursue charges. Extradition to the UK could follow once Romanian proceedings conclude.
The legal storm surrounding the Tate brothers shows no signs of calming anytime soon.
