In a startling turn of events, online personality Andrew Tate, along with his brother Tristan, are facing serious legal charges in Romania. The charges, which include rape, human trafficking, and the formation of an organized crime syndicate, have been vehemently denied by the brothers. The news has sent ripples through the digital world where Andrew Tate has cultivated a substantial following.
Formal Charges
The formal accusation, submitted to the Bucharest court, asserts that the Tate siblings, along with two additional accomplices, established a criminal organization in 2021. This group allegedly engaged in human trafficking activities not only within Romania but also extended their operations to other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The group is said to have exploited seven women, who were reportedly deceived with false pledges of romance and matrimony, a strategy that authorities have termed the “loverboy method”.
The victims were allegedly transported to properties in Ilfov county, Romania, where they were subjected to threats, continuous monitoring, and control, and were coerced into debt. The defendants are accused of forcing the women to partake in explicit content, which was later disseminated on social media platforms.
In addition to the human trafficking charges, Andrew Tate is specifically accused of sexually assaulting one of the victims on two separate occasions in March 2022. His brother Tristan is charged with inciting others to commit acts of violence.
The Tate siblings were initially apprehended at their residence in Bucharest in December and were transitioned from custody to house arrest in March following a decision by a Romanian judge. The commencement of the trial, which is anticipated to span several years, is not imminent.
Media Team Response
In response to the charges, the Tate brothers’ media team expressed, “While this development is undoubtedly foreseeable, we welcome the chance it provides to prove their innocence and restore their reputation.” They further added that the formal accusation “enables us to present a thorough collection of evidence, meticulously gathered and compiled over time, which will undeniably support the brothers’ assertions of innocence.”
Property Confiscated
As part of their investigation, Romanian authorities have confiscated Bitcoin estimated to be worth $385,000, 15 properties and parcels of land, 15 luxury vehicles, 14 high-end watches, two precious metal ingots, and a medal.
Andrew Tate, a British-American ex-professional kickboxer, has gained infamy online, particularly among young men, by advocating a hyper-masculine, ultra-luxurious lifestyle. Despite being banned from several social media platforms for violating rules on “dangerous individuals” and breaching hate speech rules, his influence has remained substantial.
The case now progresses to the court’s preliminary chamber, where a judge has 60 days to review the case files. The unfolding legal saga promises to be a closely monitored event, given the high-profile nature of the defendants and the grave allegations against them.