Andrew, Tristan Tate return to Romania amid serious legal charges

British-American influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan announced on Friday that they have departed the US and are en route back to Romania, where they are facing serious charges, including human trafficking.

In a post shared with his 10.8 million followers on X, Andrew Tate stated, “Spending USD 185,000 on a private jet across the Atlantic to sign one single piece of paper in Romania. Innocent men don't run. They clear their name in court.” The brothers firmly deny all allegations against them.

According to the BBC, the Tates are scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Monday. The duo, who hold dual US-UK citizenship, had only recently arrived in the US at the end of February after Romanian prosecutors lifted a two-year travel ban.

Andrew Tate, 38, has gained notoriety for his controversial views, describing himself as a “misogynist” and claiming to have earned millions through social media, despite previous bans from several platforms due to his statements. His brother Tristan, 36, is also implicated in the ongoing legal matters.

Both brothers are accused of human trafficking and forming an organized group aimed at sexually exploiting women in Romania. Andrew Tate additionally faces allegations of rape. They are subjects of a separate investigation in the UK concerning similar allegations of rape and human trafficking.

In the US, the brothers are involved in a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who claims they coerced her into sex work and subsequently defamed her after she provided evidence to Romanian authorities. They continue to deny these claims.

Romanian prosecutors have emphasized that the case against the Tate brothers remains active, and they are still "under judicial control," meaning they must regularly report to authorities and are required to return to Romania.

Their recent departure raised concerns that prosecutors might have felt political pressure from US President Donald Trump’s administration, although Trump stated he had no knowledge of the Tates’ release from Romanian custody.

The Tates enjoy a significant following in the US and are particularly popular among certain factions of the American right. Earlier in February, some alleged victims of Andrew Tate expressed their "extreme concern" regarding reports suggesting that US officials had requested the relaxation of his travel restrictions.

Andrew Tate was placed under house arrest in Romania in August 2024 when prosecutors launched a second criminal investigation against him and Tristan, along with four other suspects. They all maintain their innocence.

In addition to the ongoing legal challenges, the brothers are wanted in the UK on allegations of sexual assault, which they deny. They also face accusations of tax evasion in the UK, where a court ruling in December 2024 allowed police to seize over £2 million (USD 2.6 million) from them for failing to pay taxes on £21 million (USD 27 million) in revenue from their online ventures. Andrew Tate described this ruling as "not justice" and labeled it a "coordinated attack."