Influencer Andrew Tate faces intensified human trafficking charges in Romania

Romanian authorities have intensified human trafficking charges against well-known influencer Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan, and two associates. The case now includes one more victim, bringing the total to seven women. Since April, the Tate brothers and their associates have been under house arrest in Bucharest. Initially detained in December, they are being investigated for rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group, all of which they deny.

On June 12, the four suspects were summoned to Romania’s organised crime unit headquarters to learn of the new allegations. In Romania, adult trafficking carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Prosecutors also revealed a separate criminal investigation against a Romanian man named Vlad Obuzic, who is allegedly linked to the Tate brothers. Obuzic faces allegations of human trafficking and forming a criminal group to sexually exploit seven women who were coerced into creating pornographic content for social media platforms, with the suspects retaining most of the profits.

“To ensure the victims’ loyalty and that they will perform only to the benefit of the members of the group, they were forced to tattoo the name or face of the group member exploiting them,” prosecutors stated. No charges have been filed against the Tate brothers or their associates yet, but an indictment is anticipated later this month, marking the beginning of a trial.

Andrew Tate, 36 years old, has millions of online followers, with his content particularly popular among young men attracted to his hyper-masculine image. In an interview with BBC News in early June, Tate denied promoting a culture of misogyny and defended his reputation. He also dismissed the testimonies of individual women involved in the current investigation who have accused him of rape and exploitation. A few days later, a British woman claimed that Tate choked her until she lost consciousness during sex and then subjected her to threatening behaviour. A spokesperson for Tate told the BBC that he was “saddened that a few opportunistic women who he has allegedly spent time with nearly a decade ago have decided to try and take advantage of his current situation.”