Andrew Tate and others face indictment in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape

Influencer Andrew Tate, known for his controversial content, has been accused of serious crimes including rape, human trafficking, and leading an organized crime group for the sexual exploitation of women in Romania. His brother Tristan and two associates are also facing charges related to these allegations, although all parties have denied the accusations.

The Tate brothers were initially arrested at their residence in Bucharest in December, and in March, they were placed under house arrest following a decision by a Romanian judge.

According to the indictment submitted to the Bucharest court, the four defendants allegedly formed an organized criminal group in 2021 with the purpose of engaging in human trafficking not only within Romania but also in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

The indictment identifies seven individuals who are claimed to be victims of the Tate brothers’ alleged actions. According to the indictment, the victims were allegedly recruited by the Tates using deceptive assurances of love and marriage.

Andrew Tate is specifically charged with the rape of one of the victims, while his brother is accused of inciting others to commit acts of violence.

The trial is not set to commence immediately and is anticipated to span several years. A Romanian judge has a 60-day period to review the case files before the trial can proceed.

According to a spokesperson for Andrew Tate, “We embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence.”

In 2016, Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer from the UK and the US, was expelled from the British TV show Big Brother after a video surfaced in which he appeared to assault a woman.

Following this incident, he garnered attention online and faced bans on Twitter for making statements suggesting that women should “bear some responsibility” for sexual assault. However, he has since been allowed back on the platform.

Despite facing restrictions on social media, he managed to gain popularity, particularly among young men, by promoting what he presented as an excessively masculine and opulent lifestyle