human trafficking
Romania: Trial against Tate brothers expected to begin soon
Andrew Tate (l) and his brother Tristan wait in the Court of Appeal building in Bucharest. The two brothers are accused of sexually exploiting young women. photo
© Vadim Ghirda/AP/dpa
The Tate brothers are said to have used manipulation techniques to make women dependent on them and get them to take part in sex videos. Now the trial against the brothers should begin soon.
The trial against the British-American influencer could soon begin in Romania Andrew Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan, 35, face charges of human trafficking and exploitation of young women. The Bucharest City Court has decided that the indictment, which has been ready for almost a year, is formally in order so that the trial can take place. The defendants can appeal this decision within three days. Only after this period will a decision be made as to whether and when the court hearing will begin.
When this trial is over, the Tates will be extradited to Great Britain – where they are accused of rape and human trafficking between 2012 and 2015. A court in Bucharest had already decided this in March of this year following an application from London.
Tate brothers used the loverboy method
In Romania, the Tates and two alleged accomplices are accused of forcing young women to take part in commercially distributed sex videos. To do this, they are said to have used the so-called lover boy method: they used manipulation techniques to make the girls dependent on themselves. Romanian investigators had identified seven victims, three of whom are plaintiffs in the proceedings.
Andrew Tate has made a name for himself with misogynistic statements on social networks. The 37-year-old enjoyed celebrating his wealth there with stylish sports cars and big cigars, showed himself to be a thinker while playing chess – and in doing so reached millions of teenagers and young men.
The Tate brothers and their alleged accomplices were arrested for the first time on December 30, 2022 near Bucharest. Three months later, this measure was converted into house arrest. The defendants had been at large since August 2023 – with the restriction that they were not allowed to leave Romania.