Summary:
- U.S. Embassy in Romania assisting Andrew and Tristan Tate, detained on charges related to human trafficking and rape.
- Siblings’ lawyer, Tina Glandian, grateful for embassy’s involvement and cites recent government assistance in similar cases.
- Romania’s anti-organized crime agency (DIICOT) continues to investigate, with two Romanian women also charged and under house arrest.
- Andrew Tate, known for his public life as a professional kickboxer and Big Brother U.K. contestant, faces additional rape charge.
Bucharest, Romania (MandyNews.com) – In a case that has drawn international attention, the United States Embassy in Romania is reportedly assisting influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, who are currently detained in Bucharest on charges related to human trafficking and rape.
The siblings’ lawyer, Tina Glandian, has expressed gratitude for the embassy’s involvement and cited recent government assistance in the cases of WNBA star Britney Griner and Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, who were jailed in Russia.
According to the Miami Herald, Andrew, 36, and Tristan Tate, 34, were arrested in December on accusations of human trafficking. They have been held in custody in a Bucharest jail since then. Andrew Tate also faces a charge of rape.
The brothers’ time in custody was recently extended for an additional 30 days at the request of prosecutors, while Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), continues to investigate the case.
Two Romanian women have also been charged for exploitation and are currently under house arrest. All four individuals involved in the case have denied any wrongdoing.
Glandian appeared in a video posted to Twitter, where she read a prepared statement. A representative for Glandian confirmed to Newsweek that the statement was recorded on Friday, March 24, and subsequently provided to Romanian media for publication.
“We’re grateful the U.S. Embassy has now taken an interest in this case. I know that one of their highest priorities is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens detained abroad, like they’ve done for countless other U.S. citizens. And recently for Britney Griner and Taylor Dudley,” Glandian began. “We are optimistic that with their assistance, we can finally get the Tate brothers home. In the face of their prolonged detention, we must remember that the Tate brothers are presumed innocent, and false allegations can cause irreparable harm,” she said.
The U.S. State Department’s website states that providing assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad is a priority. However, embassies and consulates cannot get citizens out of jail, declare a person’s innocence or guilt to a court, provide legal advice, or represent citizens in court. The State Department also emphasizes that U.S. citizens must abide by the laws of the country they are visiting or living in, which may differ from laws in the U.S.
Andrew Tate was living at his “Hustler’s University” compound in Romania when he was arrested in December.
The brothers and two Romanian women are accused of coercing six women into producing pornography by threatening them with “acts of physical violence and mental coercion.” Andrew Tate’s rape charge stems from an accusation that he assaulted a woman in March 2022.
Tate started his public life as a professional kickboxer, gaining notoriety in 2016 when he appeared as a contestant on the reality series Big Brother U.K.
He was removed from the show after making a string of controversial comments directed at women. The self-styled misogynist later established “Tate University,” where he teaches men how to lead an “ultra-masculine, ultra-luxurious lifestyle.”
His controversial statements led to him being banned from social media, but he was recently allowed back on Twitter after Elon Musk purchased the platform in October 2022.
The involvement of the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest has brought renewed attention to the case, though it remains to be seen how the embassy’s assistance will affect the outcome for the Tate brothers.
As the investigation continues, the case highlights the complexities of navigating international legal systems and the challenges faced by U.S. citizens detained abroad.
Featured image source: Twitter Photos
Article source: NewsWeek and Miami Herald
