Romania extends detention of Andrew Tate to February 27 / Photo: Daniel MIHAILESCU - AFP
-
'Be careful what you wish for': 'Obsession' director and star reflect on success
-
'This is the test': All eyes on US Fed to tackle high inflation
-
Messi scores but Miami held by Nashville
-
Scars of Marawi siege linger as Philippines poll nears
-
US Open champ Rybakina on top of world after injury scare
-
Trump turns to golf, family business on Irish visit's second day
-
Rybakina reigns serene as new world number one
-
Defiant Sabalenka motivated by US Open defeat
-
South Africa defeat New Zealand 43-28 to complete 3-1 series victory
-
Houthis say hit Saudi base after renewed fighting with Yemeni govt forces
-
Rybakina triumphs in US Open, denies Sabalenka three-peat
-
Gilbert Arenas questions Jonathan Kuminga's decision to join Minnesota
-
Akron fan's honorary play-calling stint ends with opening-drive fumble
-
Cristian Mungiu's Fjord examines a family's conflict with Norwegian child authorities
-
Louisiana's developing roster faces USC as Trojans enter as heavy favorites
-
United States beats Spain 76-66 to set up World Cup final against France
-
Christa Pike seeks clemency before September 30 execution in Tennessee
-
Queens residents seek renewed enforcement along Roosevelt Avenue
-
Utah hosts Arkansas as both programs begin seasons under new coaches
-
Marmot research gains over $140,000 from meme-coin fees alongside wildlife contest
-
Maryland groups seek statewide data center pause after local moratoriums spread
-
Roadless Rule repeal proposal raises concerns over Midwest forests and fire risk
-
Winston County trash-debt prosecutions face challenge from civil-rights lawyers
-
KFF journalists discuss opioid funds, suicide prevention and gaps in care
-
Fifth Circuit upholds dismissal of Jackson residents' constitutional water claims
-
Steven Strogatz weighs AI mathematics advances and their consequences for researchers
-
Anthropic details Claude misuse as US targets major illicit online marketplace
-
GTA VI draws political criticism online as preorder estimates exceed five million
-
Japanese floating parking platform is designed to lift cars above floodwater
-
Mini 1998 GT pairs 161-hp engine with John Cooper Works chassis hardware
-
Arteta blasts 'unacceptable' Sunderland penalty despite Arsenal win
-
Attissogbe double inspires Pau to Top 14 summit
-
Mbappe at the double as Real Madrid sink Rayo
-
Guimaraes strike lights up Arsenal win over Sunderland
-
Arsenal extend perfect Premier League start as Chelsea, Liverpool held
-
Israeli-made Gaza documentary wins Venice special jury prize
-
US survive Spain scare to book World Cup final clash with France
-
De Zerbi apologises to fans after Spurs' stalemate extends goal drought
-
Celine Dion makes long-awaited return to stage in Paris
-
Lowry takes four-shot lead as Trump jets in for Irish Open
-
Werro crowned Ultimate queen, US sweep 100m races
-
Harrison, Skupski win US Open men's doubles title
-
Venezuelans outside Caracas say capital not sharing blackout burden
-
Verstappen fears overtaking will be 'tough' at Spanish GP
-
Danish WWII drama wins top prize at Venice festival
-
Argentina revives plan for South Atlantic naval base amid Falklands tensions
-
Chelsea boss Alonso yearns for 'boring game' after Hull make their point
-
Yemen government forces say hit Houthis in Red Sea city
-
Werro outguns Hodgkinson to win women's 800m at Ultimate
-
Dismal Spurs stay goalless after Everton stalemate
Romania extends detention of Andrew Tate to February 27
A Bucharest court on Friday extended the detention of the controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who is being investigated for alleged human trafficking and rape, and his brother Tristan by one month, prosecutors said.
"At the request of the prosecution, the court has accepted the extension of the detention of the two Tate brothers until February 27," Ramona Bolla, a spokeswoman for Romania's anti-organised crime and terrorism directorate (DIICOT), told AFP.
Tate, a British-American former kickboxer, along with his younger brother and two Romanian women are under investigation for allegedly "forming an organised criminal group, human trafficking and rape".
They allegedly coerced women into "forced labour... and pornographic acts" for "substantial financial benefits".
All four were arrested at the end of December and ordered held for 30 days during the investigations.
Tate, 36, and his brother Tristan, 34, deny the accusations.
As part of the probe, Romanian police raided several properties connected to the Tate brothers and seized many of their assets, including a collection of 15 luxury cars, 14 watches and "sums of money" in different currencies amounting to "about 18 million lei (3.6 million euros)" in total.
DIICOT prosecutors had already searched Tate's villa in April.
According to prosecutors, a human trafficking network set up by the suspects had been operating since 2019 and recruited "several victims, including minors... for the purpose of sexual exploitation".
The potential victims were tricked by the Tate brothers, who feigned affection, before being forced into prostitution and the production of pornographic films.
Sixteen telephones and various computer equipment "intended for video chat activities" were also found in the places searched on Thursday.
In 2016, Tate appeared on the "Big Brother" reality television show in Britain but was removed after a video emerged showing him attacking a woman.
He then turned to social media platforms to promote his divisive views before being banned for misogynistic remarks and hate speech.
Tate was allowed back on Twitter after the South African billionaire Elon Musk bought the company, and his handle "Cobratate" currently has 4.5 million followers.
E.Qaddoumi--SF-PST
