The Romanian court extended the prison term on Friday evening former kickboxer Andrew Tate 30 days after he was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, rape and organizing an organized crime group, Reuters first confirmed.
Tate was arrested on Thursday along with his brother Tristan and two other suspects after Romanian authorities raided and detained him for 24 hours in Bucharest.
Later, the prosecutors submitted a petition to the court regarding the extension of the prison term.
In this video released by Observator Antena 1, Social Media personality Andrew Tate is taken away by police in the Ilfov area, north of Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.
(Antena 1 Observer via AP)
TUNBERG DRIVES IN ANDREW TATE UNDER HUMAN TRAFFICKING CHARGES ON TWITTER
Tate’s lawyer, Eugen Constantin Vidineac, responded to the court’s decision and told reporters: “From our point of view, there is no reason to take this strictest preventive measure, but it is within the discretion of the judge.”
Tate and three associates have been under criminal investigation since April after they were suspected of involvement in a human trafficking scheme in which at least six women were sexually abused, according to reports.
“Four suspects… appear created an organized criminal group in order to recruit, house and exploit women by forcing them to create pornographic content designed to appear on specific sites, in exchange for certain costs to them,” prosecutors said.
Reports on Friday suggested that Tate’s updated social media presence on Twitter may have led to his arrest.
Attorney Eugen Constantin Vidineac gives a brief press statement after defending Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate in court on December 3 in Bucharest, Romania. 30, 2022.
(Inquam Photos/Cosmin Enache via REUTERS)
ANDREW TATE Detained in Romania on Suspicion of Human Trafficking: REPORTS
The former kickboxer and controversial internet personality was banned from Twitter for misogynistic and hateful comments before being reinstated. billionaire Elon Musk last month.
Tate sparked controversy on Twitter climate activist Greta Thunberg Posting a photo of him before filling up his Bugatti, he asked for his email address so he could “send his full list. [his] car collection and their corresponding large emissions.”
Thunberg responded and said, “Yes, please enlighten me. Email smalld—energy@getalife.com.”
The activist’s response later led to a video of Tate appearing on Twitter wearing a red robe, smoking a cigar and ordering a pizza before launching into an insult at Thunberg.
Tate also told the unseen person who gave him the pizza to make sure of the “boxes”. [were] not recycled.”
But according to some reports, “Jerry’s Pizza” boxes alerted the Romanian authorities about his presence in the country.
Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate are escorted by police officers outside the headquarters of the Bucharest Investigative Office for Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) after being detained for 24 hours in Bucharest, Romania. 29, 2022.
(Reuters)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital could not independently confirm that Tate’s pizza delivery led to his subsequent arrest.
“This is what happens when you don’t recycle your pizza boxes,” Thunberg tweeted earlier Friday.
