Andrew Tate celebrates legal victory as courts rules he is free to leave Romania for the first time in two years

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are celebrating a legal victory today after courts in Romania ruled they are free to leave the country for the first time in two years.

Tate, who is a former kickboxer and controversial internet personality, posted a video to X, formerly Twitter, announcing the news this afternoon, declaring 'I AM FREE... THE SHAM CASE IS FALLING APART'. 

The 37-year-old, and his brother, 35, were charged in mid-2023 with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, which they deny.

Romanian prosecutors formally indicted Tate in June along with his brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women in the same case. 

All four were arrested in late December 2022 near Bucharest and have denied the allegations against them.

A spokesperson for the brothers said: 'The Romanian courts have ruled in favour of Andrew and Tristan Tate, lifting restrictions on their travel within the European Union,' adding: 'This represents a significant victory and a major step forward in the ongoing case.'

They went on to say that the decision 'is a strong affirmation of our clients' fundamental right to free movement, a cornerstone principle of the European Union. 

'It reflects the significant progress the legal team have made in challenging the allegations brought against them.

Andrew and Tristan's lawyer, Eugene Vidineac said: 'We embrace and applaud the decision of the court today, I consider it a reflection of the exemplary behaviour and assistance of my clients. 

'Andrew and Tristan are still determined to clear their name and reputation; however, they are grateful to the courts for placing this trust in them'

'For the brothers, who have faced limitations on their movement for nearly 2 years, this ruling is a welcome relief. 

'It allows them to resume their lives with greater freedom and peace of mind. They are now able to travel freely throughout the EU to pursue professional opportunities without restriction. 

In Tate's video announcing the ruling, he paced through what appeared to be a garage lined with supercars while shirtless and said: 'For the first time in nearly three years, the judge has decided I can leave Romania'.

He also protested his innocence in the one-minute-and-20-second clip. 

Andrew and Tristan were initially arrested in December 2022 along with two Romanian women - model Georgiana Naghel and former cop Luana Radu - but were formerly indicted in June last year.

The two female suspects also face extradition to the UK once their court proceedings in Romania come to an end. 

Romanian law states the trafficking of adults carries a lengthy prison sentence of up to a decade, as does rape.

The Tate brothers were held in police custody during the criminal investigation from late December 2022 until April 2023, to prevent them from fleeing the country or tampering with evidence.

They were then under house arrest until August, when courts placed them under judicial control, a lighter preventative measure that enables them to move around freely but not leave the country.

A request to leave Bucharest and visit their mother in Luton who had suffered a heart attack was denied at Christmas by officials.

Romanian prosecutors have said the Tate brothers recruited their victims by seducing them and falsely claiming to want a relationship or marriage - ultimately pretending to fall in love with them before getting them to work for their business.

The victims were then taken to properties outside the capital Bucharest, and through physical violence and mental intimidation were sexually exploited by being forced to produce pornographic content for social media sites that generated large financial gain, prosecutors said.

Tate, who has amassed 9.1 million followers on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him.