Former kickboxer Andrew Tate detained in Romania over human trafficking probe: Reports

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Former kickboxer Andrew Tate and his brother have been detained in Romania as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking, according to media reports on Friday.

Tate and his brother, Tristian, who have been under criminal investigation since April, and two more suspects are being held for 24 hours.

“The four suspects ... appear to have created an organised crime group with the purpose of recruiting, housing and exploiting women by forcing them to create pornographic content meant to be seen on specialised websites for a cost,” prosecutors from the anti-organized crime unit said in a statement.

Investigators identified six alleged victims who had been sexually exploited by the group, the directorate said.

A spokesperson for Tate told the Daily Mirror: "We cannot provide any details at the moment regarding alleged reports that they have been detained; however, Andrew and Tristan Tate have the utmost respect for the Romanian authorities and will always assist and help in any way they can."

Authorities used Tate’s social media post in which he ridiculed a Romanian pizza chain, Jerry’s Pizza, to confirm he was in the country.

The move came after climate activist Greta Thunberg responded to a tweet by Tate, in which he boasted about his car collection.

Tate, a controversial online influencer, has been banned from a number of social media platforms for expressing extreme views, including that women bear some responsibility for sexual assault.