Influencer known for misogynistic views accused of exploiting women and engaging in human trafficking
In a shocking development, social media personality Andrew Tate, widely recognized for his controversial online presence and misogynistic views, has been charged with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang in Romania. The charges also extend to his brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women, according to prosecutors in Bucharest, Romania’s capital. The case alleges the formation of a criminal group aimed at exploiting women through human trafficking in Romania, the United States, and Britain.
According to the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, the defendants, together with their accomplices, established the criminal organization in 2021 with the intent to engage in human trafficking. The agency claims that seven female victims were deceived and transported to Romania, where they were subjected to sexual exploitation and physical violence at the hands of the gang. Shockingly, one of the defendants is accused of committing rape against a woman on two separate occasions in March 2022, as stated in the official statement.
Andrew Tate, 36, has been residing in Romania since 2017. The former professional kickboxer vehemently denies the allegations, asserting that Romanian prosecutors lack evidence and implying that the case is a politically motivated conspiracy to silence him. Mateea Petrescu, Tate’s spokesperson, reaffirmed their commitment to proving the brothers’ innocence and restoring their reputation. Both Andrew and Tristan are expected to attend a hearing in Bucharest tomorrow morning.
As per Romanian law, a judge has up to 60 days to review the case files before deciding whether the defendants will proceed to trial. The Tate brothers, holding dual British-U.S. citizenship, were initially detained in late December in Bucharest. However, they secured a successful appeal on March 31, allowing them to transition from police custody to house arrest.
Andrew Tate garnered immense popularity on social media platforms, boasting over 6 million followers on Twitter, primarily consisting of young men and schoolchildren. His controversial history includes being banned from TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for hate speech and misogynistic comments, often blaming women for their own sexual assaults. Despite these bans, Tate’s Twitter account was reinstated by the platform’s CEO, Elon Musk, further fueling concerns raised by Hope Not Hate, a UK-based organization combating far-right extremism. The group warns of Tate’s significant influence on young men and teenage boys, who are drawn to his online presence projecting a luxurious lifestyle intertwined with misogynistic, homophobic, and racist content.
Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, detailed that the alleged victims were recruited through false declarations of love and subsequently coerced into participating in pornography after being taken to Ilfov county, Romania. The victims were reportedly controlled through intimidation, constant surveillance, and manipulation of debt claims. Prosecutors have also moved to seize the Tate brothers’ assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches, and approximately $3 million in cryptocurrency, as stated in the agency’s official announcement.
Moreover, several women in Britain are pursuing civil claims against Tate, seeking damages for alleged instances of sexual violence. In a recent interview with the BBC, Tate denied propagating a culture of misogyny and rejected accusations of manipulating women for financial gain.
The upcoming trial will undoubtedly shed more light on the allegations surrounding Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan, ultimately determining their guilt or innocence in these grave charges.