Andrew Tate can leave Romania while awaiting trial on human trafficking and rape charges

BUCHAREST, Romania — A court in the Romanian capital ruled Friday that social media influencer Andrew Tate can leave Romania but must remain in the European Union while he awaits trial on charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

The Bucharest court's decision to allow Tate, 37, to leave the country was hailed by its spokesman, Mateea Petrescu, as a “significant victory and a big step forward” in the case.

Tate, a former professional kickboxer and dual British-American citizen, was initially arrested in December 2022 near Bucharest along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women.

Romanian prosecutors formally charged the four men last June and all four have denied the allegations.

After Friday’s ruling, Tate wrote on social media platform X: “I AM FREE. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 3 YEARS I CAN LEAVE ROMANIA. THE MALICIOUS BUSINESS IS COLLAPSING.”

“We welcome and applaud the court's decision today, I see it as a reflection of the exemplary behavior and assistance of my clients,” said Eugen Vidineac, one of Tate's attorneys, adding that the Tates are “still determined to clear their name and reputation.”

On April 26, the Bucharest court ruled that prosecutors' case against Tate met the legal criteria and that a trial could begin, but did not set a date for its start.

The decision came after the case was argued for months in pre-trial chambers, a process in which defendants can challenge the evidence and prosecutors' case.

Vidineac said the ability to travel within the 27-nation European bloc will allow the Tates to “pursue professional opportunities without restriction.”