UK
Andrew Tate appears in court in Romania as his lawyers argue he should be released
Controversial internet personality Andrew Tate has appeared in court in Romania on Wednesday as lawyers argue he should be released.
The British-American national and his brother Tristan have been held in custody since 29 December on suspicion of human trafficking, rape and forming an organised crime group.
Two female Romanian suspects have also been detained.
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They are hoping to overturn a judge’s decision on 20 January to extend their detention by 30 days.
As he left court on Wednesday, Andrew Tate said: “Ask them for evidence and they will give you none, because it doesn’t exist. You’ll find out the truth of this case soon.”
If the judge rejects the latest appeal, the group will stay in custody until 27 February while prosecutors investigate the case.
Pic: AP
It is alleged the Tate brothers recruited their victims by seducing them and falsely claiming to want a relationship or marriage.
Prosecutors say the women were then forced to produce pornographic content under duress.
Kickboxer turned influencer, Andrew Tate, is also accused of raping one of the victims last March. All four deny the allegations.
Police officers escort Andrew Tate handcuffed to his brother Tristan Tate. Pic: AP
Earlier this month, a court extended their preventative custody period to 27 February.
Today, defence teams will try to argue that there is not enough evidence to continue to hold them.
Following the arrests, Romanian authorities said they seized goods and money worth almost £3.25m ($4m) including luxury cars.
The brothers’ legal team is also fighting for these items to be returned.
Luxury cars were seized from the influencer’s villa earlier this month
Last week, Andrew Tate made his first comments since his detention.
“They know we have done nothing wrong,” he told reporters as he was brought in for further questioning by anti-organised crime prosecutors. “This file is completely empty. Of course it’s unjust, there is no justice in Romania unfortunately.”
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Famous for misogynistic content, Tate has a huge following despite being banned from most mainstream social media platforms.
His Twitter account was reinstated in November after Elon Musk took charge of the company.