A travel ban on influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, both charged with human trafficking in Romania, has been lifted, allowing them to travel to the United States, according to officials on Thursday.
The brothers, who are dual US-British citizens are strong supporters of President Donald Trump and their large online following, were granted permission to leave Romania under undisclosed conditions. Their exact destination in the United States remains unknown, the Associated Press reported.
Who are the Tate Brothers?
Andrew Tate, 38, is a former professional kickboxer who has amassed over 10 million followers on X, where he frequently shares controversial views. He describes himself as a misogynist and operates an online academy that claims to teach young men how to achieve wealth and attract women.
Tristan Tate, 36 also a former kickboxer, maintains a strong online presence but is less publicly outspoken than his older brother.
The Tate brothers and two Romanian women were arrested in late 2022 in Bucharest.
What are they charged with in Romania?
Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) accused them of forming a criminal group in 2021 to engage in human trafficking in Romania, the United States, and Britain.
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 “in order to commit the crime of human trafficking” in Romania as well as the United States and Britain.
They were formally indicted last year, but in December, a Bucharest court ruled that their case could not proceed to trial due to procedural and legal irregularities by prosecutors. While the case remains open, a separate legal investigation into the brothers is also underway in Romania.
Andrew Tate has repeatedly denied the charges, calling them part of a political conspiracy designed to silence him. Prosecutors, however, have charged the brothers with leading a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, among other offenses.
Why was the travel ban lifted?
Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, stated on Thursday that prosecutors had approved a request “to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania.” However, the agency noted that judicial control measures remain in place.
The restrictions also require the brothers to “appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned, and DIICOT warned that any violation of these obligations could lead to stricter legal action, including detention.
Their departure follows comments from Romania’s Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu, who revealed that a US official from the Trump administration had expressed interest in the Tate case at the recent Munich Security Conference. Hurezeanu, however, denied that this amounted to political pressure, as per Associated Press reports.
What cases they have in Florida?
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Tate brothers are involved in a defamation lawsuit in Florida against a woman who accused them of imprisoning her in Romania.
A hearing was held Thursday in West Palm Beach, Florida, regarding a motion from the woman, identified as Jane Doe, requesting an indefinite delay in the lawsuit until Romanian proceedings conclude.
The Tates’ legal team argued against any delay, stating that the Romanian case is expected to take years to resolve. No immediate ruling was issued.
Additionally, the brothers filed a court motion expressing fear of “imminent harm” from Jane Doe, requesting a temporary restraining order that would prevent her from coming within 500 feet of them. They also sought legal protection barring her from contacting, threatening, stalking, harming, or harassing them.
The Tates have asked for an emergency hearing on the restraining order, urging the judge to set a court date as soon as possible.
