21 August 2024 , 13:13
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Influencer’s property among four searched as part of investigation into alleged trafficking and sex with a minor
Masked armed police raided the Bucharest home of the misogynist social media influencer Andrew Tate on Wednesday amid fresh claims about trafficking and underage sex.
Police said officers conducted four searches as part of an investigation into alleged crimes including human trafficking and sex with a minor.
Tate, 37, who describes himself as a misogynist, has gained millions of fans, particularly among boys and young men, by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that frequently denigrates women.
Last year he and his brother Tristan were charged with human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, allegations that they denied. The brothers and two Romanian women are awaiting trial and deny the charges against them.
On Wednesday Romania’s anti-organised crime prosecuting unit Diicot said its officers conducted four home searches in Ilfov county and the Bucharest municipality.
It said the investigation concerned “a criminal case regarding the commission of the crimes of setting up an organised criminal group, trafficking of minors, human trafficking, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements and money laundering”.
Several armed police wearing black balaclavas were photographed at Tate’s property. Two appeared to be carrying a battering ram to force entry.
Tate’s representatives confirmed that officers had raided the brothers’ home. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Although the allegations in the search warrant are not yet fully clarified, they include suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering. The brothers’ legal team is present to ensure that all formalities are carried out correctly.”
In July a Romanian court of appeal overturned a previous ruling that allowed Tate free movement within the European Union while awaiting trial.
Tate, a former kickboxer who has 9.9 million followers on X, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him.
He was previously banned from various social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and for hate speech.