Following Andrew Tate's controversial acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship during his legal challenges in Romania, authorities are reevaluating his status. The decision comes amid rising security concerns associated with citizenship-by-investment programs.
Vanuatu Considers Revoking Andrew Tate's Citizenship Amid Legal Troubles
Vanuatu Considers Revoking Andrew Tate's Citizenship Amid Legal Troubles
Authorities in Vanuatu are investigating the potential revocation of Andrew Tate's citizenship, amid concerns that his "golden passport" may enable evasion of law enforcement.
Vanuatu's government is currently assessing whether to revoke Andrew Tate's citizenship, following revelations that he obtained a "golden passport" close to the time of his arrest in Romania on serious criminal charges, including rape and human trafficking. Tate, known for his provocative online persona and self-identification as a misogynist, received citizenship through a fast-track program that requires a minimum investment of $130,000 (£96,000) in the nation. The investigative work by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project has drawn international scrutiny, leading to the European Union stripping Vanuatu of its visa-free access privileges in late 2024.
Kiery Manassah, a speaker for the Vanuatu government, confirmed that discussions are ongoing to review Tate’s residency status, emphasizing the country’s goal of declining citizenship applications from individuals with dubious reputations. "The government does not want to encourage people of questionable backgrounds to be granted citizenship," Manassah stated, indicating that those wanted by law enforcement from other nations are not welcome.
Citizenship-by-investment programs have become a significant revenue stream for Vanuatu, however, they have also raised alarms over potential exploitations by criminals and officials. Aubrey Belford, the Pacific lead editor at OCCRP, highlighted that such schemes can facilitate the acquisition of new identities, compromising national security.
Tate received his Vanuatu citizenship in December 2022, the same month he and his brother Tristan were taken into custody in Romania, where they remain restricted in their movements. As Vanuatu lacks an extradition treaty with Romania, it is uncertain if the legal developments in Europe will impact their status in the Pacific archipelago.
The Tate brothers, originally U.S. citizens, were raised in the U.K., and both have denied the allegations against them. Their legal team has indicated a willingness to return to the U.K. to address the charges, which span crimes purportedly committed between 2012 and 2015, while a Romanian court has agreed to their extradition following the conclusion of any applicable trials.
