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 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.’
Andrew Tate is celebrating a legal victory today after courts in Romania ruled he is free to leave the country for the first time in two years
They went on to say that the decison ‘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 Tristans 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 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, but were formerly indicted in June last year.
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.