Andrew Tate loses appeal against latest detention

A Romanian court has dismissed an appeal by Andrew Tate against his continued detention, ruling that he should remain in detention until March 29.

The brother of the controversial influencer, Tristan, also remains in custody.

They are accused of human trafficking, rape and forming an organized crime group and are in custody. Both have denied wrongdoing.

Reports in Romania, apparently based on Mr Tate’s wiretapped conversations, had claimed he was a risk of absconding.

However, the court ruled that the brothers should remain in custody on grounds of protecting public order and eliminated three other grounds for his arrest – including his potential risk of absconding or his influence over alleged victims.

Two Romanian women, Georgiana Naghel and Luana Radu – who are Tates employees and were released from custody last week on house arrest – have been re-arrested.

Ahead of the latest verdict, Mr Tate’s lawyer said his client would not seek to evade the Romanian legal system by fleeing abroad.

Mr Tate planned to travel to Dubai if released but only for medical checks, his lawyer told the BBC.

Reports in Romania that allegedly outlined phone calls made by the brothers from custody were believed to have been part of the case brought by prosecutors for an extension of their detention.

Her detention had previously been maintained until February 27 before being extended for a further 30 days. The court upheld that decision on Monday.

One of the Tates’ lawyers, Eugen Vidineac, told the BBC that nothing they discussed was illegal, while the brothers’ phone calls were being tapped in custody.

“There is no risk of flight,” he said.

“There was a discussion between Andrew and his secretary, which said that if he was released by the judges under these conditions, he would go to Dubai [for medical examinations]”, he added.

It was not an attempt to escape Romanian justice, he said.

In 2016, Mr Tate, a former kickboxer, was removed from the British TV show Big Brother over a video that appeared to show him attacking a woman.

He rose to internet fame when Twitter banned him for saying women should “take responsibility” if they were sexually assaulted. He’s now reinstated.

Despite social media bans, he gained popularity, especially among young men, by promoting a hyper-masculine, ultra-luxurious lifestyle that he showcased.