Andrew Tate Charged with Trafficking Minors

Romanian prosecutors on Friday charged influencer Andrew Tate with trafficking minors, money laundering, sexual intercourse with a minor and witness tampering. His brother Tristan was also charged as an accomplice. Both men deny the charges.

The former kickboxers, who hold US and British citizenship, have lived primarily in Romania since 2017. Romanian authorities have been investigating them over allegations including human trafficking since December 2022.

Prosecutors allege that they lured victims with false promises of relationships or marriage, then forced them to produce pornographic content for their webcam business.

Their lawyer, Eugen Vidineac, said the defense would thoroughly review the indictment and challenge any evidentiary, procedural or legal deficiencies through the appropriate legal channels.

The brothers remain in custody in the US, where they were detained in Miami in late July after the UK requested their extradition. They face rape charges in the UK. According to Romanian prosecutors, it is not yet clear whether Romania will also seek their extradition from the US.

The Romanian trial will not begin immediately. A judge will first review the indictment at a preliminary hearing to determine whether the case file is legally valid. The brothers could be tried in Romania in their absence.

Andrew Tate describes himself as a misogynist and has built a following primarily among young men.

(Reuters, bak)