A Bucharest court has ruled to release internet personality Andrew Tate from house arrest where he is awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, placing him under judicial control, a lighter restrictive measure.
Mr Tate was indicted in June along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian female suspects for human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
The suspects have denied the allegations.
Under Romanian law, the case is now with the Bucharest court's preliminary chamber, where a judge has 60 days to inspect the case files to ensure legality. The trial will not start until that process is completed.
This morning, the Bucharest Court of Appeals said in a written ruling that it "replaces the house arrest measure with that of judicial control for a period of 60 days from August 4 until October 2."
Under the new measure, the four suspects can leave the house, but not the capital Bucharest and the surrounding Ilfov county. They must check in regularly with the police. They are also banned from trying to approach the victims.
The Tate brothers, who have dual US and British citizenship, have been under house arrest since April pending an investigation into abuse against seven women, whom prosecutors say were lured through false claims of relationships.
They were initially held in police custody from 29 December.
Mr Tate, a self-described misogynist, has gained millions of fans by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle which critics say denigrates women.
Andrew Tate has said he will be "absolutely exonerated" of charges of rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women after being released from house arrest.
The 36-year-old, speaking outside his home in Bucharest today, told reporters: "In January when I was thrown into a jail cell the media reported and told the world that I was a terrible person, they said that I hurt people and that I make a lot of money from a criminal enterprise.
"Here we stand seven or eight months later and I have not seen a single victim on the news, I have seen lots of girls sticking up for me, lots of people defending me, I've not seen a single person stand up and say that I have hurt them, not one.
"It's very exhausting to continue to perpetuate lies, it's very hard to keep lies afloat when you have no actual evidence, we've been completely innocent since the beginning of this and I have to give absolute faith to the Romanian judicial system for finally making the right decision in letting us free.
"I'm sure in the end we will be absolutely exonerated and everybody who was pushing these lies and reporting things on repeat without any substantial evidence are going to have to analyse within themselves why they decide to try and destroy people's lives purely for views.
"I've done nothing wrong, God knows I've done nothing wrong, in my heart I know I've done nothing wrong. I think the people at home with a functioning brain understand we've done nothing wrong."
In a statement through their lawyer, the Tate brothers thanked supporters for showing "great resilience and patience".
In June, prosecutors alleged there were seven female victims, including some who were "misled" by "false claims of marriage and love".
They said the defendants formed an organised crime group in early 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania, the UK, the US and other countries.
The alleged victims were later taken to buildings in Ilfov county in Romania where they were intimidated, placed under constant surveillance and control and forced into debt, the statement said.
Tate, who has lived in Romania since 2017, was previously banned from various social media platforms.
The kickboxer has denied all of the allegations, with a trial due to take place.
Additional reporting: PA
