- A crowd of Andrew Tate fans poured through Athens earlier this week.
- They chanted “Free Top G,” a term they coined in support of their “top gangster.”
- Tate and his brother were arrested in connection with investigations into human trafficking and rape.
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A crowd of Andrew Tate fans gathered in Athens earlier this week to support him as he faces investigation into human trafficking and rape allegations.
videos of protest circulated on social media this week and has been viewed millions of times. The clips showed a large group of mostly young men pumping their fists in the air and shouting “Free Top G! Free Top G!” sang.
—Skiourakic ❤ (@skiourakic) January 16, 2023
The phrase “Top G” – short for “Top Gangster” – was popularized by Tate and his fans for anyone they deem respectable.
According to The Greek Reporter, protesters swarmed across Syntagma Square, a central spot in the Greek capital, and along the shopping district of Ermou Street. In some videospeople could be seen holding placards calling for Tate’s release from prison.
The protest appears to be a direct response to the Romanian government’s ongoing investigation into Tate and his brother Tristan Tate. In December, Romanian authorities arrested the duo on suspicion of human trafficking and rape. The brothers are said to be held in jail for 30 days pending investigation as their recent request for release was denied.
— George Avg (@GeorgeAvg1) January 15, 2023
During the investigation, Tate continued to post on Twitter to his audience of 4.6 million followers. He has made several conspiratorial and delusional claims that “the Matrix” – another term used by Tate and his fan base in reference to the film franchise – is responsible for his imprisonment, and that it is so “agents” are looking for him. (Tate’s attorney, Eugen Vidineac, has even denied these claims.)
The Romanian government investigation includes Andrew, Tristan and two others accused of setting up an operation that exploited women and forced them to create content for an online porn website.
A lawyer told Insider that Tate’s biggest legal challenge will be his own public statements about rape and exploitation, which he has made in the past. In October 2017, Tate took to Twitter to slam women who made allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein. He said the women couldn’t call themselves victims if they “set [themselves] capable of being raped.” Tate has made countless disturbing and misogynistic remarks over the years.
Tate’s most recent tweet on Wednesday said he would give one of his five visiting slots to Adin Ross, a popular streamer who quickly came to Tate’s aid after his arrest.