Controversial influencer Andrew Tate, along with his brother Tristan and two associates, is facing serious charges in Romania. The charges include rape, human trafficking, and forming an organized crime group to exploit women sexually. All four defendants have vehemently denied these allegations.
The Tate brothers were initially arrested at their residence in Bucharest in December. However, in March, they were granted house arrest following a ruling by a Romanian judge. The indictment presented to the Bucharest court reveals that the defendants established an organized criminal group in 2021 with the intention of engaging in human trafficking not only in Romania but also in other countries, including the US and the UK.
According to the indictment, the Tate brothers allegedly recruited seven victims through false promises of love and marriage. Subsequently, these victims were taken to buildings in Ilfov county, Romania, where they were subjected to intimidation, constant surveillance, control, and forced into debt. Romanian prosecutors stated that the defendants then coerced the women into participating in pornography, which was later disseminated on social media platforms.
Additionally, one of the defendants is accused of raping a woman on two occasions in March 2022. The trial is not expected to commence immediately and could extend over several years. The case files will be inspected by a Romanian judge within 60 days before the trial can proceed.
The media team representing them expressed that: “While this news is undoubtedly predictable, we embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation.”
It also added that the indictment “allows us to present a comprehensive body of evidence, diligently collected and prepared over time, which will undoubtedly substantiate the brothers’ claims of innocence”.
There are also ongoing investigations into separate charges, such as money laundering and trafficking of minors, which could lead to additional indictments.
Andrew Tate, a British-American former kickboxer, gained notoriety in 2016 when he was removed from the British TV show Big Brother after a video surfaced showing him apparently assaulting a woman. Despite social media bans, he continued to attract a following, particularly among young men, by promoting what he portrayed as a hyper-masculine and ultra-luxurious lifestyle.
