British women accusing influencer Andrew Tate of rape, assault, and coercive control have questioned UK authorities after he appeared in Russia while extradition efforts remain stalled.
The self-professed misogynist and his brother Tristan face criminal charges in Britain including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking, alongside a separate civil case brought by four women.
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The brothers arrived in Moscow during the week of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum after travel restrictions were lifted by Romanian authorities, where they also face trafficking and rape charges.
Victims' Lawyer Criticizes UK Inaction
Matthew Jury, the women's solicitor at McCue Jury & Partners, criticized the Crown Prosecution Service policy that delays UK extradition until Romanian criminal proceedings are settled.
"By failing to secure Andrew Tate's extradition, the British authorities have failed British women seeking justice as well as Britain's wider interests," said Jury.
The solicitor added that the decision gave the Tates a platform in Russia to attack Western values and amplify Kremlin propaganda.
"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," said Jury.
Jury noted that the situation represents a significant contradiction for government promises regarding public safety.
"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," said Jury.
One of the female claimants expressed deep distress over the travel developments and renewed demands for immediate British government intervention.
"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," said the unnamed woman.
Tate Brothers Explain Visit
The Tate brothers stated that their visit aims to document modern Russia firsthand through meetings with entrepreneurs and media personalities.
"We came to Russia because serious countries should be taken seriously.
I want to meet people, see how the country works, understand how people live, and talk about it based on what I actually experienced.
I am interested in how people live, how they do business, what they believe, what they worry about and what they think the future looks like.
People in Russia and people in America do not have to agree on everything to benefit from contact, conversation and a clearer sense of how each other live.
That is healthier than talking past one another from a distance," said Andrew Tate.
A separate public statement released through their media channels echoed the same intent of direct engagement and global documentation.
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"We have come to Russia to see it with our own eyes, meet people directly, learn, listen and document the country as it is, not as it is described from a distance.
Serious countries should be understood firsthand, and meaningful dialogue begins with direct contact," said Andrew Tate.
A representative for the brothers reiterated that the trip serves as an educational opportunity to share unfiltered experiences with a global audience.
"Andrew and Tristan have always believed that genuine understanding comes from direct experience rather than assumptions.
This visit is an opportunity to meet people face-to-face, learn about modern Russia firsthand, and engage in conversations around business, education, culture and entrepreneurship.
The goal is simple: listen, learn, document and share those experiences with a global audience," said a spokesperson for Andrew and Tristan Tate.
Andrew Ford, a solicitor representing the Tates at Holborn Adams, emphasized that international legal protocols dictate completing the active Romanian case first.
"As acknowledged by the UK, these domestic proceedings must be fully concluded before any potential extradition can be executed.
Mr Tate has made it very clear that he will voluntarily travel to the UK to clear his name once Romanian proceedings are concluded.
This is not a matter of discretion or delay, but a requirement of due process and respect for the Romanian legal system," said Ford.
Russian opposition figure Lyubov Sobol criticized the warm reception given to the brothers by state structures, framing it as an illustration of Kremlin policies.
"He's Putin's guest of honor, no matter how you look at it. They should have made him a key speaker right alongside [U.
S. conservative commentator Candace] Owens in the family sessions," wrote Sobol.
Andrei Pivovarov, a former political prisoner, publicly condemned the decision to welcome individuals facing severe criminal prosecution abroad.
"Under Russian criminal law, he should be sentenced to over 10 years in prison for human trafficking, rape and inciting hatred against women.
Yet here, he's being welcomed with kokoshniks and bread," wrote Pivovarov.
Yekaterina Mizulina of the Safe Internet League questioned the long-term reputational impact for Russia if the criminal allegations are legally proven.
"If tomorrow the facts of pedophilia and human trafficking are proven, how will our country look after welcoming them with bread and salt," wrote Mizulina.
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The UK Home Office declined to confirm or deny the existence of an active extradition request due to the ongoing Romanian investigation.
