A Romanian court has rejected British influencer Andrew Tate’s appeals on Friday, marking the beginning of his trial in the country for organized human trafficking and rape. No date has been set for the trial yet, but Tate’s lawyers have immediately filed an appeal, claiming it to be unlawful and unfounded while maintaining his innocence. The 37-year-old influencer will be appearing in court alongside his 35-year-old brother Tristan, who are both suspected by the Romanian public prosecutor’s office of sexual exploitation of several women.
The brothers were arrested in 2022 and held in Bucharest for three months before being indicted in June 2023. They are not allowed to leave the country. According to prosecutors, the victims were lured into a trap using the ‘loverboy’ method and then forced to make pornographic films through physical and psychological violence. Additionally, Andrew Tate has been charged with two counts of rape, with an arrest warrant issued against both brothers by British authorities based on similar allegations.
The Romanian judiciary is prepared to accept their extradition but only after their trial in Romania, which may take years. Andrew Tate, born in the United States in 1986, has been living in Romania for several years and has previously expressed appreciation for the country’s freedom and accessibility of corruption. Despite being banned from Instagram and TikTok for misogynistic comments, Tate has a large following on social network X where he showcases his lifestyle and interests. He is known for his muscular physique, cigar smoking, and luxurious cars that appeal to millions of fans, mostly teenagers on this platform. The trial is expected to draw significant attention due to Tate’s influence and the serious nature of the charges against him and his brother.