*Former professional kickboxer and controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been charged in Romania with rape and human trafficking.
The brothers are also accused of running an organized crime group to sexually exploit women, the BBC reports.
The Tate brothers were first detained by Romanian officials at their Bucharest home in December but released on house arrest in March. We reported previously that the professional kickboxer and self-proclaimed ‘Misogynist Influencer’ was arrested on charges of human trafficking, rape, and organized crime.
A hearing was held Wednesday to determine whether the brothers would remain under house arrest or “face a lighter form of judicial surveillance that would allow them to leave their Bucharest compound,” writes ABC News.
According to the indictment, the Tate brothers recruited seven alleged victims through false promises of love and marriage.
Here’s more from the BBC:
The alleged victims were later taken to buildings in Ilfov county in Romania where they were intimidated, placed under constant surveillance and control and forced into debt, according to a statement from Romanian prosecutors.
The defendants allegedly then forced the women to take part in pornography which was later shared on social media. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, the statement adds.
“I love this country… and I look forward to being found innocent,” said Andrew Tate as he left court Wednesday, BBC reports.
A Romanian judge must inspect all the evidence files within 60 days before the case can be tried.
The trial is expected to take several years.
Here Andrew Tate implies that one of his girls (his bottom btch) has been with him since she was 15 (max 16) years old.
She is 21 and has been with him for 6 years.
21-6=15.Not sure what the facts are and if this is a blunder but it sure doesn’t look good. pic.twitter.com/5R2gM9RL06
— Ridvan Aydemir | Apostate Prophet (@ApostateProphet) June 21, 2023
Per the BBC, the media team for the Tate brothers said: “While this news is undoubtedly predictable, we embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence and vindicate their reputation.”
The statement noted that the indictment “allows us to present a comprehensive body of evidence, diligently collected and prepared over time, which will undoubtedly substantiate the brothers’ claims of innocence”.
