Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer and self-proclaimed misogynist influencer, was arrested on December 29, 2022, on charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania, along with his brother, Tristan Tate. The 36-year-old, who has a large following on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, was taken into custody by the Romanian police after an investigation into his activities.

Tate, who is originally from the United Kingdom but has been living in Romania for the past few years, is accused of sexually assaulting multiple women and forcing them into prostitution. The charges against him include rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, and running a criminal organization. The investigation is mainly based on the testimonies of six women who accused Tate of the above described things. 

The news of Tate’s arrest has been met with mixed reactions. While many people have expressed relief that he has been apprehended, some of his followers have come to his defense, claiming that he is being framed by the Romanian government. On social media, some of Tate’s supporters have even started the hashtag #FreeAndrewTate, which has been trending on Twitter. They believe that the charges against him are false and that he is being targeted because of his controversial views on women and the society. 

Tate has gained notoriety in recent years for his outspoken and deliberately offensive comments about women, claiming “you cannot be rooted in reality and not be sexist”. He has described himself as a “professional misogynist” and has claimed that women are inferior to men in every way. His extreme views and behavior have also earned him criticism and backlash. In 2019, he was removed from the UK reality TV show Big Brother after producers became aware of his comments about women.

The accusations against Tate are serious and, if proven true, could result in a lengthy prison sentence. The investigation into his activities is ongoing, and he is currently under house detention awaiting trial. Most of his properties have been confiscated by the Romanian authorities, including cars and jewelry that he regularly boasts about on social media.  Most recent information, based on two tapped phone conversations, also reveals that Tate is a flight risk, and authorities are worried about his potential influence over the alleged victims. In the meantime, the reaction to his arrest has been a reminder that despite his controversial views, Tate still has a significant following online, mainly consisting of young men.

Photo source: BBC.