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"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 of letting us free," Tate
told reporters gathered outside his house on the outskirts of
Bucharest. "I'm sure in the end we'll be absolutely exonerated."
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, allegations they have
denied.
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.
The Bucharest Court of Appeals on Friday in a written ruling
said 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 U.S. 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 Dec. 29.
Tate, a self-described misogynist, has gained millions of fans
by promoting an ultra-masculine lifestyle that critics say
denigrates women.
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Mark
Porter)
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