Andrew Tate & Brother Tristan Released To House Arrest Still Without Charges

Internet personality Andrew Tate, 36, was arrested in a police raid on their house on December 29 last year in Bucharest, along with younger brother Tristan and two Romanian women -- Luana Radu, 32, and Georgina Naghel, 28 -- on suspicion of several offences including rape and organised crime. Some of the victims named in the investigation have since denied they were abused by the brothers.

The four have been held in detention since their arrest, and have on several occasions been denied release by the court. This week's bail application was rejected by a judge on Wednesday and the decision was appealed. The Court of Appeal in Bucharest ruled Friday, that the brothers and two alleged accomplices would be released from prison and be placed under house arrest.

All four have been ordered to stay in the building where they live, unless granted permission to leave by the court.

Tate remained silent and shielded himself behind Tristan as the brothers walked to their vehicle after leaving the jail. "I just want to say the judges today made the right decision," the younger brother said. "I respect what they've done for me and they will be vindicated in their decision because I am an innocent man and I can't wait to prove it."

The brothers' lawyer reportedly said: "We are ecstatic to announce the Romanian judicial system approved Andrew's and Tristan Tate's appeal against last week's extension decision. They will be placed under house arrest while the investigation continues. We are appreciative of the judge and courts for allowing the brothers to return home. Both brothers are looking forward to being reunited with their families in Romania and want to extend their thanks to all the supporters who have stood by them during this time. They will continue to fight to clear their name of these fabricated accusations; however, this is a big step in the right direction."

Tate himself later told reporters in front of his villa in Pipera: "Freedom, finally! I'm a little excited. I would like to thank the judges who made this decision because they were attentive to us, listened to us and set us free, so I have absolute respect for them. I have no resentment towards Romania or anyone else in the country, I believe only in the truth. I believe in God and I believe that the fire of truth will destroy lies. I think that in the end justice will win and there is a 0 percent chance that I will be found guilty of something I did not do. I'm innocent and I think all the smoke understands that and I'm glad to be home. ... While I was in custody, I did a lot of push-ups. I'd like to make 10,000 by the end of the weekend. I focus on floats and I will read the Qur'an. Thank you very much!"

The internet sensation has since tweeted smiley face emoji, and in another post, a 45-second video of him pacing up and down in a room smoking a cigar while topless. "Since last year ive been in 24 hour lockdown," he wrote. "No yard time. Pacing a 3metre cell with zero electronics or outside contact. Absolute clarity of mind. Real thoughts. Real plans. Vivid pain. One hour home and I cant stand my phone. Some habits die hard. We must defeat Shaytan."

WATCH the moment Andrew Tate, brother Tristan and associates were released from jail