Andrew Tate and his brother have been released from jail

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been released from custody in Romania, the controversial influencer's communications director has confirmed.

A Romanian judge ruled the pair could be released from custody and placed under house arrest, with immediate effect.

Tate and his brother, Tristan, have both been held in custody since 29 December as police conduct an investigation into accusations of rape, people trafficking and forming an organised crime group.

Both brothers have denied the accusations made against them.

Their latest period of custody was due to end on 29 April, but today's ruling made by the Court of Appeal in Bucharest has replaced this.

Two associates, Georgiana Naghel and Luana Radu, are also being released after the ruling, with all four ordered to stay in the buildings where they live unless granted specific judicial permission to leave.

lcv/Alamy Stock Photo

Tate gained a large following online despite posting controversial opinions and advice to his fans, and his Twitter account has remained active even in the wake of his arrest.

The most recent tweet, which arrived on the same day the court of appeals returned its decision today, showed a bald man looking out of a window alongside the caption: "Escape is possible. I simply close my eyes."

He and his brother applied to be released on bail, but earlier this month the application was rejected.

Lawyers for Tate appealed the decision, but the court of appeals chose to uphold the initial ruling on 29 March.

His legal team had argued it was unnecessary to keep the social media influencer in custody when other options, such as house arrest, could be utilised.

However, judges have argued that Tate is a flight risk, or that he could influence witnesses or evidence if released.

Instagram/@cobratate

A spokesperson for the Tate brothers told the MailOnline they had been 'rendered speechless' by the decision, especially as the brothers had been given the opportunity for the first time to 'present all legal guarantees that they are not a flight risk'.

They explained: "The court has decided to extend the Tate brothers’ preventative arrest. We have been rendered speechless by the news.

"The interaction with the judge was extremely dynamic and the brothers were offered for the first time the opportunity to present all legal guarantees that they are not a flight risk.

"They are the first ones who want light to be shed on this case. The substantial material damages they have suffered are nothing compared to the moral ones.

"Their image has been irreparably harmed and it will take years to rebuild the reputation, trust and connection with the general public."