Andrew, Tristan Tate leave Romania for US after travel ban lifted

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan departed from Romania for the US after a travel ban against them was lifted. The change comes after the Trump administration reportedly urged the Romanian government to remove the travel restrictions earlier this month.

The Tate brothers were first arrested by Romanian authorities three years ago and are facing trial on charges including trafficking minors, engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor, and money laundering, all of which they deny. Additionally, a separate case against them involving accusations of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women has been returned to prosecutors.

Both brothers, who hold dual UK-US citizenship, are also subject to a European arrest warrant issued by Bedfordshire Police related to allegations of rape and human trafficking that date back to 2012-2015.

The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) confirmed that prosecutors approved a request to modify the ban on the defendants leaving Romania, stipulating that they must appear before judicial authorities when summoned. The agency warned that any deliberate violations of these obligations could lead to stricter measures.

Although the travel ban has been lifted, the brothers remain under investigation and are expected to return to Romania at the end of March. Their attorney, Eugen Vidineac, stated earlier this year that the brothers are committed to clearing their names.

In response to the news of their departure, four women who have accused Andrew Tate of rape and coercive control expressed their distress, stating they feel “retraumatized” by the development.

In a joint statement, they said, “We are in disbelief and feel retraumatized by the news that the Romanian authorities have given into pressure from the Trump administration to allow Andrew Tate to travel around Europe and to the US. We can only hope that the British authorities finally take action, do something about this terrifying unfolding situation and ensure he faces justice in the UK.”

Earlier this month, reports surfaced indicating that the Trump administration had exerted pressure on Romanian officials to lift the judicial control restrictions on the Tates. Romanian officials denied any political pressure but acknowledged that US special envoy Richard Grenell had requested the brothers be allowed to travel freely. Emil Hurezeanu, spokesperson for the Romanian foreign minister, emphasized that "Romanian courts are independent and operate based on the law; there is due process."

It remains unclear whether the Tate brothers are headed to Florida to meet Donald Trump, as they have been vocal supporters of the former president and have connections within his inner circle. Andrew Tate has maintained friendships with individuals such as Paul Ingrassia, who was nominated by Trump as the White House liaison for the Department of Justice, and Donald Trump Jr., who previously described Andrew’s detention as “absolute insanity.”