Andrew Tate formally accused in Romania of human trafficking and money laundering
The Romanian Public Ministry has accused Andrew and Tristan Tate of human trafficking, money laundering and witness coercion. The brothers remain detained in the USA.
Romania formalises charges against the Tate brothers following years of investigation
Reuters reports that the Romanian Public Ministry presented formal charges on Friday against influencer Andrew Tate for human trafficking of minors, money laundering, sexual relations with a minor and witness coercion. His brother, Tristan, is accused of complicity in the same crimes. According to CNN Portugal, the charges come years after investigations into both began.
The two brothers, former kickboxing practitioners with dual American and British nationality, were detained in Miami in late July following an extradition request made by the United Kingdom. They remain in preventive detention in the United States whilst a judge considers that request, and are also being sought in British territory on suspicion of rape.
Method of recruitment and sexual exploitation
The Romanian prosecution — through DIICOT, the specialised unit for combating organised crime — describes a scheme in which the Tate brothers seduced victims with false promises of romance or marriage, before forcing them to produce pornographic content intended for a live-streaming business.
According to DIICOT, one of Andrew Tate's victims was 15 years old when he seduced her in the United Kingdom in 2012. Subsequently, he took her to Bucharest, where he employed physical violence and psychological intimidation to sexually exploit her. Tristan Tate is alleged to have participated as an accomplice, using physical assault to coerce the same victim.
The prosecutors maintain that the two retained 1.25 million dollars — approximately 1.08 million euros — from webchat revenues generated by the victim, which equates to approximately 80 per cent of all her earnings. The money was subsequently laundered through the purchase of four luxury vehicles.
Legal proceedings still in initial phases
The formal indictment does not entail the immediate commencement of trial. Under Romanian legislation, the case is first sent to a preliminary judicial chamber, where a judge examines the files to verify their legality. Although the law provides for a 60-day timeframe for the completion of this analysis, the indictment phase tends to extend considerably beyond that limit.
The DIICOT spokesman indicated it is not yet clear whether the unit will request the extradition of the brothers from the United States. The two may be tried in absentia in Romania, should the case proceed without their presence.
This is not the first time the Tate brothers have faced formal charges in the country. In late 2024, the Bucharest Court of Appeal returned the case to prosecutors after finding some of the evidence inadmissible.
Defence rejects all charges
The Tate brothers' Romanian lawyer, Eugen Vidineac, stated that the defence will contest the charges. "We will examine each aspect with the same level of rigour and will contest any evidentiary, procedural or legal shortcomings through the appropriate judicial process," he stated. "Our clients continue to reject the charges made against them."
Andrew Tate, who identifies himself as a misogynist, previously stated that he chose Romania as his residence because he considered police oversight to be more lenient. The two brothers have lived primarily in the country since 2017 and have built a vast following — predominantly young men — based on an image of hypermasculinity and ostentation.
Source: CNN Portugal