Romanian court rejects Andrew Tate's detention appeal

Judges have previously said Tate brothers pose a flight risk and their release could jeopardise investigation

Andrew Tate, right, and Tristan Tate are escorted by police after a hearing at the Bucharest Court of Appeal. EPA

Divisive internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan had an appeal against their detention rejected by a Romanian court on Monday.

Prosecutors are investigating the two brothers — who have been in police custody since December 29 — and two Romanian women for suspected human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

They have all denied the accusations.

The Tate brothers, who have dual US and British citizenship, have had their detention extended until the end of March.

Prosecutors can ask Romanian courts to extend suspects' detention for up to 180 days.

A court on February 21 ruled the two female suspects, Georgiana Naghel and Luana Radu, should be placed under house arrest when their current arrest warrant expires on Monday.

The brothers' lawyers had argued against their continued detention, saying prosecutors had not given new evidence or brought new charges.

Andrew Tate arrested in Romania over human trafficking case — video

Judges have previously said the brothers posed a flight risk and their release could jeopardise the investigation.

Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer from Luton in southern England, has millions of followers online and he promotes a luxury lifestyle from wealth he says he earned from investments including a pornographic webcam business.

He gained mainstream notoriety for misogynistic remarks that got him banned from all major social media platforms, although Twitter reinstated his account after Elon Musk bought the company last year.

Andrew Tate detained in Romania — in pictures

Police officers escort Andrew Tate to the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania. AP

Tate, the divisive influencer and former professional kickboxer, was detained on suspicion of being involved in organised crime and human trafficking. AP

The British-American, who has 4.7 million followers on Twitter, was also accused of rape. Reuters

Tate, his brother Tristan and two women are escorted by officers into the Court of Appeal in Bucharest. EPA

Tate rose to notoriety in 2016 when he was removed from reality TV show Big Brother over a video that appeared to show him hitting a woman with a belt. Reuters

On a podcast last year, he said he started making money when he lived in London by convincing girlfriends to videochat and share the profits. AP

A police officer looks on as a luxury vehicle is seized on the outskirts of Bucharest, in the case against Tate. AP

A car is pictured at 'The Hustlers University' site belonging to Tate in Bucharest. AFP

Romania said it had identified six victims in a human-trafficking case who had been subjected to 'acts of physical violence and mental coercion'. EPA