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.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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