Fri | Apr 19, 2024

Update | Andrew Tate loses appeal against 30-day detention in Romania

Published:Wednesday | February 1, 2023 | 3:05 PM
Police officers escort Andrew Tate handcuffed to his brother Tristan Tate, to the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Andrew Tate, the divisive influencer and former professional kickboxer who is detained in Romania on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking appeared at the court in Bucharest on Wednesday to appeal against a second 30-day extension of his detention. His brother Tristan is held in the same case. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Romanian court on Wednesday upheld a second 30-day detention for the divisive influencer and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate who is held on suspicion of organised crime and human trafficking, an official said.

Tate lost his appeal against a judge's Jan. 20 decision to extend his arrest a second time for 30 days, said Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for Romania's anti-organised crime agency DIICOT.

Tate, 36, a British-US  citizen who has nearly 5 million followers on Twitter, arrived at the Bucharest Court of Appeal handcuffed to his brother Tristan, who is held in the same case along with two Romanian women.

None of the four have yet been formally charged.

The court rejected their appeals and all will remain in custody until February 27 as prosecutors continue investigating the case.

They previously lost an appeal against an earlier 30-day extension.

A document seen by The Associated Press explaining the January 20 decision said the judge took into account the “particular dangerousness of the defendants” and their capacity to identify victims “with an increased vulnerability, in search of better life opportunities.”

Tina Glandian, an American lawyer who has previously represented celebrities including singer Chris Brown and former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, joined the Tates' legal defence team on Wednesday to work alongside them.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.