Andrew Tate granted leave from Romania; must stay within EU

Andrew Tate, a controversial influencer, and his brother Tristan have been granted permission by a Bucharest court to leave Romania, but they are restricted from leaving the European Union.

Previously barred from departing the nation where they await trial, they face charges including human trafficking, rape, and organizing a criminal group for the sexual exploitation of women. They have denied all accusations.

The ruling permitting EU travel is subject to appeal and is not final.

The brothers described the decision as a "significant victory and major step forward" in their ongoing legal proceedings.

According to the brothers' lawyer, Eugene Vidineac, the ruling reflects the exemplary conduct and cooperation of his clients.

"Andrew and Tristan are still determined to clear their name and reputation; however, they are grateful to the courts for placing this trust in them."

Writing on X, a platform from which he had been banned before, Andrew Tate commented, "The sham case is falling apart."

The Tate brothers, former kickboxers holding dual UK-US citizenship, face accusations of exploiting women through an adult content enterprise that prosecutors claim functioned as a criminal organization.

In addition to the brothers, two Romanian women were named in an indictment released in June last year, and the prosecution identified seven alleged victims.

Andrew Tate describes himself as a misogynist and has been previously banned from social media platforms for expressing such views.

He has repeatedly asserted that Romanian prosecutors lack evidence against him and have conspired to silence him.

The internet personalities are also sought in the UK for alleged sexual offences said to have taken place there.

For the past two years, the brothers have been under movement restrictions.

They were detained by police during the criminal investigation from late December 2022 until April 2023, then placed under house arrest until August. Subsequently, courts imposed judicial supervision on them.