Andrew Tate charged in Romania for child trafficking and rape
Romania's prosecutor's office has charged Andrew Tate with human trafficking, rape of minors and money laundering. The Tate brothers are held in custody in Florida.
Romanian prosecutors bring charges against Tate for serious exploitation of minors
Romania's prosecutor's office has charged internet personality Andrew Tate with human trafficking, rape of at least two minors, money laundering and witness intimidation, reports Sydsvenskan. His brother Tristan Tate, 38, is charged with complicity in several of the crimes.
According to a statement from the prosecutor's office, one of the victims was recruited when she was 15 years old. Between 2012 and 2021, she was controlled and monitored, transported by shuttle between the United Kingdom and Romania, and forced to produce pornographic material – including through physical, psychological and financial violence. Through her, the brothers are said to have earned over 1.25 million dollars. Romanian prosecutors allege the brothers used this money to purchase at least four luxury cars, which are now subject to forfeiture.
39-year-old Andrew Tate is also charged with repeated rape of another minor victim, who was also 15 years old at the time. All crimes in the indictment are alleged to have been committed between 2012 and 2021.
Tate, who has built a profile within what is known as the manosphere, previously sold courses on how men could persuade women to work as webcam models. He has publicly claimed that women bear responsibility if they are raped, and that married women belong to their husbands.
The Tate brothers hold British and American citizenship and are currently held in custody in Florida, accused of rape and sex trafficking in the United States. The United Kingdom has also requested their extradition to face trial in a British court on 59 charges, including multiple rape cases as well as distribution of extreme pornography and child abuse material. The brothers deny all allegations.
They arrived in the United States in February 2025 after Romanian authorities lifted their travel restrictions. According to American media, the Trump administration is said to have lobbied for the restrictions to be relaxed. Andrew Tate supported Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election and stated in July that year, in connection with an interview in Romania, that he has close relations with the Trump family.
Despite the protracted legal proceedings – the brothers were placed under house arrest in Bucharest in August 2024 – Andrew Tate has retained a large online following. It consists largely of men connected to the manosphere's network, forums that centre on hypermasculinity and traditional gender norms. Last week, a number of supporters gathered outside the Miami detention facility to protest the charges – by doing press-ups.
Source: Sydsvenskan