Controversial online influencer Andrew Tate has been released from house arrest by a Romanian court pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, his spokesman said.
Instead, he was placed under judicial control, meaning he can travel through Romania “subject to the necessary legal conditions,” the spokesman added.
Together with his brother Tristan, Tate (38) faces charges of trafficking in minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. Both categorically denied the accusations.
The spokesman added: “Andrew Tate and his team remain committed to full cooperation and the pursuit of justice.”
Tate was placed under house arrest in August, when prosecutors opened a second criminal investigation against him and Tristan Tate, as well as four other suspects, over allegations of trafficking minors, having sex with a minor and money laundering. They all deny guilt.
The first, separate case against the brothers was The Court of Appeal in Bucharest returned it to the prosecutors in December for the second time, saying it could not continue in its current form.
In this case, Andrew and Tristan Tate are accused of human trafficking and forming an organized group for the sexual exploitation of women.
They also deny these charges, as well as those of rape and human trafficking brought against them in Great Britain, where police are seeking the extradition of the dual British-American citizens.
A judge in Bucharest earlier said the extradition request would be resolved after the case in Romania is over.
The brothers are also accused of tax evasion in the UK. Last month, a British court ruled that police could seize more than 2 million pounds ($2.4 million) from them for failing to pay taxes on 21 million pounds of income from their online business.
Andrew Tate said the verdict was “not justice” and called it a “coordinated attack”.
He is a self-proclaimed misogynist and was previously banned from social media for expressing such views.
A former kickboxer, he has gained millions of followers online and has been living in Romania for several years, having previously lived in the UK.
