Andrew Tate was detained in Romania over a UK arrest warrant — and his fans are already spreading conspiracies

• Andrew and Tristan Tate have been detained in Romania on sexual crime charges.
• The Tate brothers, who live in Romania, reject all allegations, but now face extradition to the UK.
• Fans of the Tates are spreading unfounded conspiracy theories about elites trying to silence them.

Andrew Tate, the self-described misogynist influencer, has been detained and handed an arrest warrant by British authorities — and his fans are already spreading unfounded conspiracy theories about why.

Tate and his brother Tristan now face extradition to the UK by authorities in Romania, where they both live.

Allegations against them, which include sexual aggression, date back to between 2012 and 2015. The Tate brothers "categorically reject all charges," their team said in a statement that has been widely shared

Arrest warrants were issued on Monday, the BBC reported, and alleged offenses include exploiting people in the UK.

"The Bucharest Court of Appeal is slated to make a pivotal decision today on whether to execute the mandate, a representative for Tate, Mateea Petrescu, said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Petrescu's statement also described the arrest as a "bewildering revival of decade-old accusations" which had left the Tate brothers "dismayed and deeply troubled."

"They categorically reject all charges and express profound disappointment that such serious allegations are being resurrected without substantial new evidence," it said.

"They are fully committed to challenging these accusations with unwavering determination and resolve."

Tate has been a widely controversial individual for years, with critics labeling him sexist and dangerous. His influence remains strong, despite facing allegations of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.

He and Tritan are part of the manosphere movement which mainly consists of men who feel attacked by modern feminism and advocate for more traditional gender roles.

Experts have linked the popularity of "men's rights activists" with a risk to women's safety, and some worry Tate's influence is negatively affecting children as young as 11, who see him as their "god" and believe his teachings that men should have absolute control over women.

News of the arrest spread to social media quickly, particularly X where Tate still has an account (he has been deplatformed from Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.)

"The Matrix is afraid, but I only fear God," reads a post from his account posted shortly after the news of his arrest broke.

In responses underneath, fans maintain Tate is "innocent" and urge authorities to "free him now."

A clip from their Rumble show, Tate Speech, that the Tate brothers live-streamed on March 11 has also been circulating. They titled it an "emergency meeting." In it, Tate claimed dressing "a certain way," having "certain opinions" on the LGBTQ community, and doing "certain things" would mean protection from the "media establishment."

"After declining, we ended up in a jail cell," he said.

Tate made claims about the world's elite, saying they want to see powerful male figures "humiliated" so that "people look up to this person are no longer inspired."

Later in the show, Tate made derogatory comments about John Cena, who presented an award at this year's Oscars, appearing to be in the nude. He described it as Cena's "humiliation ritual to satisfy his gay masters."

Fans shared the video, saying the Tates had been arrested because the comments had "struck a nerve" with the elites.

"Andrew Tate was so accurate about what John Cena did," one fan wrote. "Look at it with your third eye."

Tate has repeatedly referenced "The Matrix" since his arrest, referring to a dark but vague conspiracy against him, and his fans have run with it.

In another clip from an interview, which is also being shared by Tate's fans, Tate said he would be "charged soon with some imaginary crimes," adding to the conspiracy that a global network of tech platforms and governments are attempting to silence him.

"Romania's failed, so the UK has picked up," Tate said. "The UK is coming next."

On December 29, 2022, the Tate brothers were arrested in Bucharest, Romania, along with two women, as part of a human trafficking and rape investigation. They were accused of exploiting women to produce porn for their online business.

While detained, reports from Vice World News revealed Tate had been arrested in the UK in 2015 on suspicion of rape. Prosecutors said they investigated claims by two women but decided not to take Tate to trial.

Vice World News spoke with the women, who said the authorities mishandled their case.

In a statement to Business Insider at the time, Hertfordshire Constabulary defended its approach to what it called a "complex and challenging case," saying it was fully investigated by a team dedicated to sexual offenses.

It also said its officers were willing to meet with the women again.

McCue Jury & Partners LLP, the law firm representing four British women who have accused Tate of rape and sexual assault, released a statement on Tuesday morning, saying they had urged British police to file an extradition request after they received word Tate may flee Romania.

"Today's news is very welcome as it has been a significant concern to many that Tate would seek to avoid justice in Romania and abroad," Matthew Jury, the managing partner, said in the statement. "We are grateful to the British authorities for taking our concerns seriously and issuing an arrest warrant."

He also referenced the "vast amount of disinformation" he believes Tate has spread since his arrest in December 2022.

"We hope these recent developments will discourage them and others from continuing to give Tate such a platform or, at least, encourage them to properly interrogate him on the allegations," Jury said.

"Allowing Tate to spread disinformation about the allegations of criminality he faces, not just in the UK, only helps to support and spread his toxic influence further amongst vulnerable young men and boys, something we should all be seeking to put an end to."

BI has reached out to the Tates for comment.