BUCHAREST, Romania — A court in Romania’s capital on Friday denied a request by online influencer Andrew Tate to return assets that were seized during investigations into the case in which he is charged with human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
The Bucharest Tribunal ruled that all assets seized will remain in possession of Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, Tate’s spokesperson said, adding that the decision will be appealed. Tate, 37, won an appeal in January challenging the asset seizures, which triggered a retrial.
The former professional kickboxer was arrested in December 2022 near Bucharest along with his brother Tristan Tate and two Romanian women. Romanian prosecutors formally indicted all four in June last year. They have denied the allegations.
After the Tates were detained, Romanian authorities seized 15 luxury cars, 14 designer watches and cash in several currencies. The fleet of automobiles included a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari, a Porsche, a BMW, an Aston Martin and a Mercedes-Benz. The total value of the goods, authorities said at the time, was estimated at 3.6 million euros ($3.9 million).
DIICOT also said it had identified more than 10 properties and land owned by companies registered to the Tate brothers, and that their assets could be used to fund investigations and compensate victims if the authorities could prove they were gained through illicit activities.
Andrew Tate, who has amassed 9 million followers on the social media platform 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 prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and for hate speech.
The decision on Friday came a week after the Tate brothers appeared at the Bucharest Court of Appeal in a separate case. British authorities issued arrest warrants over allegations of sexual aggression in a U.K. case dating back to 2012-2015, according to the brothers’ spokesperson.
The court granted the British authorities their request to extradite the Tates, but only after legal proceedings against them have been concluded in Romania.
The Romanian case is still being discussed in the preliminary chamber stages, when defendants can challenge prosecutors’ evidence. No trial date has been set.
Last week, the Bucharest Tribunal, the court of first instance, extended by 60 days geographical restrictions against the Tates, which stipulate they may not leave the country.
Romanian Court Denies Andrew Tate’s Request to Retrieve Confiscated Assets
Andrew Tate, a former reality TV star and entrepreneur, has recently faced a setback in his legal battle to retrieve his confiscated assets in Romania. The Romanian court has denied his request to have his assets returned, citing ongoing investigations into his business dealings.
Tate, who gained fame on the reality show “Big Brother” and has since built a successful career as a social media influencer and entrepreneur, has been embroiled in legal troubles in Romania for several years. In 2019, Romanian authorities seized his assets as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion and money laundering.
Despite Tate’s efforts to clear his name and retrieve his assets, the Romanian court has ruled against him, stating that the investigation is still ongoing and that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that his assets were obtained through illegal means. The court also cited concerns about the potential flight risk posed by Tate, who is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Tate has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to continue fighting to clear his name and retrieve his assets. In a statement released after the court’s decision, he expressed his frustration with the legal system in Romania and vowed to appeal the ruling.
The case has garnered widespread attention in both Romania and the international media, with many speculating about the implications for Tate’s career and reputation. Some have criticized the Romanian court for its handling of the case, while others have expressed support for the authorities’ efforts to crack down on financial crimes.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Andrew Tate and his confiscated assets. In the meantime, he is likely to face continued scrutiny from both the media and the public as he seeks to clear his name and reclaim his lost fortunes.
