Andrew Tate was reportedly arrested in Romania for human trafficking

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It was reported that social media influencer Andrew Tate was arrested in Romania after a home search was carried out by police.

The former kickboxer, 36, was reportedly taken into custody along with his brother Tristan and two other suspects during a raid on his home in the capital, Bucharest.

Romania’s Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism issued a statement on Thursday confirming the execution of five home search warrants.

The group said the notes related to crimes of “forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking and rape”.

It did not name the Tate brothers but said two British nationals and two Romanians were suspected of being part of the criminal group.

Footage circulating widely on social media appears to show Tate and his brother being led away from a luxury villa.

“So far, six victims have been identified who were sexually exploited by an organized criminal group,” adds the statement from Romania’s Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism.

“Four persons were taken for questioning who were reasonably suspected of being involved in criminal activity.

Following the hearings, prosecutors of the Organized Crime and Terrorism Investigation Directorate – Central Structure ordered the detention of the four persons for 24 hours.

The statement adds that “the investigators benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees stipulated in the Code of Criminal Procedure and the presumption of innocence.”

According to the Reuters news agency, prosecutors said: “It appears that the four suspects … established an organized criminal group with the aim of recruiting, harboring and exploiting women by forcing them to create pornographic content intended to be viewed on specialized websites for a cost.” “

A spokesperson for Mr Tate told the Daily Mirror: “We cannot provide any details at this time regarding the alleged reports of their detention; however, Andrew and Tristan Tate have the utmost respect for the Romanian authorities and will always help and assist in any way they can.”

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