Andrew Tate, the self-professed misogynistic influencer who faces rape and human trafficking charges in both Romania and the United Kingdom, has appeared in Moscow — and his accusers are demanding to know why British authorities have not yet sought his extradition.
Tate, who admires Vladimir Putin and amplifies Kremlin propaganda online, arrived in Russia the same week that Russian authorities welcomed US right-wing figures at an annual conference described as Moscow’s answer to Davos. He and his brother Tristan were met by a troupe of folk singers and dancers upon arrival.
British women who have accused Andrew Tate of rape, assault, and coercive control have questioned why the influencer is free to travel to Russia while UK authorities continue to hold off on seeking his extradition.
‘A Profound National Embarrassment’
Matthew Jury, the solicitor representing the British women bringing a civil case against Tate, did not hold back.
“By failing to secure Andrew Tate’s extradition, the British authorities have failed British women seeking justice as well as Britain’s wider interests,” he said.
“That failure has now produced the extraordinary spectacle of Tate travelling to Russia — a state that has decriminalised some forms of domestic violence — to be handed a new platform from which to attack western values and amplify Putin’s propaganda to his millions of followers.
“For a government that repeatedly calls violence against women and girls a national emergency, and is consistently unable to confront Russia’s relentless attempts to undermine our values, communities and democracy, this is a profound national embarrassment.”
The Charges Against Tate
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan face criminal charges in Britain, including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking, as well as a civil case brought by four women. They have also been charged in Romania with human trafficking, rape, and forming an organized criminal group following their arrest in December 2022.
There is an extradition warrant out for them. But the Crown Prosecution Service has agreed that they will not be extradited to the UK until the Romanian criminal proceedings are settled.
The jury said there was nothing stopping British authorities from seeking extradition now.
The Tates were able to travel to Russia after restrictions on their movement were lifted by authorities in Romania, who have reportedly been coming under pressure from the Trump administration on the case.
The Victims’ Voice
One of the women making the claim for damages said: “It is deeply upsetting that, once again, Andrew Tate is travelling all over the world in the face of an outstanding extradition warrant and despite the serious criminal charges against him.
“We reiterate our calls for the UK government finally to act and extradite Andrew Tate to the UK. Otherwise, their commitments to ending violence against women and girls risk being taken by victims and survivors as hollow platitudes which only add insult to injury.”
Tate’s Response
Contacted by The Guardian, Tate defended his trip to Russia.
“We came to Russia because serious countries should be taken seriously,” he said. “I want to meet people, see how the country works, understand how people live, and talk about it based on what I actually experienced.”
Andrew Ford, a solicitor for the Tates, said his client was subject to continuing proceedings in Romania. “As acknowledged by the UK, these domestic proceedings must be fully concluded before any potential extradition can be executed,” he said.
“Mr Tate has made it very clear that he will voluntarily travel to the UK to clear his name once Romanian proceedings are concluded.”
The Kremlin Connection
Tate’s arrival in Moscow coincided with Putin’s annual economic conference in St. Petersburg, where right-wing US commentator Candace Owens appeared, and a US government official attended for the first time since 2018. Russian state media covered Owens’ claims that people in the US are growing tired of supporting Ukraine.
Tate has used his online presence to praise Putin, promote Kremlin disinformation, and echo Kremlin talking points about the war in Ukraine. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, he thanked Putin for having “cured Covid” when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Bottom Line
Andrew Tate flew to Moscow as his extradition to the UK remains delayed while Romanian proceedings continue. British women who have accused him of rape and assault are furious, with their solicitor calling the UK’s failure to extradite him “a profound national embarrassment.” Tate was welcomed by folk singers in Russia, where he praised Putin and aligned himself with Kremlin propaganda. The UK Home Office would neither confirm nor deny whether an extradition request has been made.
