Former kickboxer Andrew Tate, along with his brother and two other suspects, were arrested in Romania in connection with a human-trafficking case as part of ongoing investigations. Officials report that the 36-year-old, disqualified from the British reality show Big Brother in 2016 for perpetrating violence against women, is also suspected of rape and forming an organized crime group.
According to reports, law enforcement officials stormed his villa in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday, December 2, and took him away in handcuffs. Officials also confirmed that three other suspects would be detained in connection to the crime. While the identities of other suspects were withheld, a legal representative for Andrew confirmed his brother, Tristan Tate, was arrested. Another source reported that one of the suspects is a former Romanian policewoman.
Officials Arrested Andrew Tate Following A Thorough Raid
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism revealed that officials arrested Andrew Tate on Thursday. He and other suspects in the human-trafficking case were detained following a raid of five homes. The evidence pointing to the group was not immediately made public. However, the department revealed the homes were connected to ongoing investigations into an organized crime group, human trafficking, and rape.
The suspects would spend 24 hours in police custody, per legal protocols. A spokesperson for the social media star spoke to the Daily Mirror, saying:
The Human-Trafficking Case Began Months Back
Romanian newspaper, Gândul reported that the investigation into the suspected organized crime group began in April after complaints of an American woman held captive at their residence reached authorities. Upon investigation, they rescued several women from a building located about 500 meters from the Bucharest villa.
Although the woman confirmed Tristan lured her to Romania after meeting on social media, they made no arrests then. Per the newspaper, investigators bided their time until the Tate brothers returned to Romania before storming the villa.
His eviction from Big Brother in 2016 stemmed from a leaked video of him hitting a woman with a belt. These antics have earned him media backlash throughout his scandalous career. Nonetheless, the human-trafficking suspect, Andrew Tate, has also garnered popularity, making him a known internet sensation.
