Andrew and Tristan Tate, prominent figures on social media platforms, have been charged with grave offences including rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang. The charges were filed by Romania’s anti-organised crime agency, DIICOT, in a court in Bucharest. Alongside the Tate brothers, two Romanian women also face charges related to their involvement in the alleged criminal activities.
According to DIICOT, the defendants are accused of misleading and transporting seven female victims to Romania, where they were subjected to sexual exploitation and physical violence by the gang. Shockingly, one victim was allegedly raped twice in March 2022. The Tate brothers and the two Romanian suspects were apprehended in late December and were subsequently granted house arrest following an appeal on March 31.
Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer with a significant following of over 6 million on Twitter, has been known for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech, which led to his banning from multiple social media platforms. Residing in Romania since 2017, Tate has vehemently denied the charges, labelling them as a political conspiracy aimed at silencing him.
The anti-organized crime agency revealed that the victims were recruited through false promises of love and were taken to Ilfov county in Romania, where they were coerced into participating in pornography. The women were allegedly controlled through intimidation, constant surveillance, and false claims of debt.
As part of the ongoing investigation, prosecutors have ordered the seizure of assets belonging to the Tate brothers, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches, and approximately $3 million in cryptocurrency. Furthermore, several women in Britain have initiated civil claims against Andrew Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Tate denied the allegations of misogyny and manipulation, maintaining his innocence. Mateea Petrescu, a spokesperson for Tate, expressed their intention to prove the brothers’ innocence and restore their reputation during the upcoming court hearing.
The Tate brothers are expected to attend a hearing in Bucharest on Wednesday morning, where they will have the opportunity to present their defence. The judge assigned to the case has up to 60 days to assess the evidence before deciding whether to proceed with a trial.
According to the agency’s statement, the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 with the intent of engaging in human trafficking, spanning across Romania, the United States, and Britain. The case has sent shockwaves through the online community and raises significant concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in the digital age.
