Andrew Tate charged with trafficking minors in Romania
Romanian prosecutors have formally charged influencer Andrew Tate with trafficking minors, money laundering, sexual relations with a minor and influencing witnesses. His brother Tristan Tate is accused of complicity, CBC World reports.
Investigation since 2022
The Tate brothers, former kickboxers with US and UK citizenship, have been under criminal investigation in Romania since December 2022. They have lived primarily in Romania since 2017. Both deny all allegations.
According to Romanian prosecutors, the brothers recruited victims by seducing them and falsely claiming they intended to build a relationship or marry them. The victims were then allegedly forced to create pornographic content for a webcam business.
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Defense position and extradition
The brothers’ Romanian lawyer, Eugen Vidineac, said the defense would thoroughly examine the indictment and challenge any possible shortcomings in the evidence, procedure or legal justification through the established court process. According to him, the clients continue to reject the allegations against them.
At the end of July, the brothers were arrested in Miami after the United Kingdom submitted a request for their extradition. They remain in custody in the United States while a judge considers the request. In the United Kingdom, the brothers are wanted on rape charges.
A representative of Romania’s anti-organized crime unit, DIICOT, said it is currently unclear whether the agency will seek their extradition from the United States. The brothers may be tried in absentia in Romania, but the proceedings will not begin immediately: a preliminary chamber judge must verify the legality of the case materials. The law provides 60 days for this, although in practice such procedures may take longer.
