An investigation into an alleged human trafficking has led to the detention of Andrew Tate, the controversial British – American kickboxer – turned – internet personality and his brother Tristian in Romania.
Tate and his brother will be held for questioning for up to 24 hours, according to Romanian prosecutors.
On Thursday night, footage broadcast on Romanian television showed Tate, one of the most prominent and divisive influencers, being led into a police vehicle by armed officers.
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism in Romania did not name any suspects but said in a statement that four people – two British citizens and two Romanian nationals – are accused of forming a criminal group to carry out human trafficking in Romania as well as other countries such as the UK and the US.
According to the directorate, investigators identified six alleged victims who had been sexually exploited by the group, which enticed the women by expressing interest in a romantic relationship before using physical violence, intimidation, and surveillance to force them to produce pornographic material.
The investigation relates to allegations of organizing a criminal group, human trafficking, and rape, the directorate said.
The Tate brothers were questioned by Romanian authorities in April following a tip about a US woman being held against her will, but both were released without being arrested.
Andrew Tate later said in a YouTube video that he had been “pranked” by someone making a false report and he was “totally innocent”.
Tate’s detention comes just a day after his Twitter spat with climate activist Greta Thunberg went viral.
Tate, whose videos depict a lifestyle filled with fast cars, exotic locales, and beautiful women have amassed billions of views across social media, has been banned on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for expressing extreme views, including that women bear some responsibility for sexual assault.
Source: Aljazeera News
