Andrew Tate is currently facing trial in Romania on charges related to human trafficking.

Controversial figure Andrew Tate, known for his influence on social media, has been formally charged in Romania with serious offenses including rape, human trafficking, and the establishment of an organized crime group for the purpose of exploiting women sexually. His brother Tristan and two associates are also facing charges in relation to the case. All individuals involved have denied the allegations brought against them.

The Tate brothers made their first appearance in court on Wednesday, and upon leaving the courtroom, Andrew Tate expressed his affection for the country and his anticipation of being proven innocent.

Initially arrested at their residence in Bucharest in December, the brothers were subsequently placed under house arrest in March.

The indictment presented to the Bucharest court details the formation of an organized criminal group by the defendants in 2021, with the aim of engaging in human trafficking activities in Romania as well as other countries including the United States and the United Kingdom. It further identifies seven alleged victims who were reportedly enticed by the Tate brothers through false promises of love and marriage.

According to statements from Romanian prosecutors, the purported victims were subsequently taken to buildings in Ilfov county, Romania, where they were subjected to intimidation, constant surveillance, control, and forced into debt. The defendants are accused of compelling these women to participate in pornography, which was subsequently shared on social media platforms. Additionally, one of the defendants is alleged to have committed rape against a woman on two separate occasions in March 2022.

The trial proceedings are not expected to commence immediately and are likely to span several years. A Romanian judge now has a period of 60 days to review the case files before they can be forwarded for trial.

The media team representing the Tate brothers issued a statement in response to the charges, expressing their readiness to demonstrate their innocence and clear their names. They emphasized that the indictment would provide an opportunity to present a comprehensive body of diligently collected evidence that would support their claims of innocence.

Further investigations are ongoing regarding separate charges, including money laundering and the trafficking of minors, which may result in additional indictments.

In 2016, Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer of British-American nationality, was removed from the British TV show Big Brother due to a video that appeared to show him physically assaulting a woman. Subsequently, he gained online notoriety, with his Twitter account being temporarily suspended after making controversial statements suggesting that women should bear some responsibility for sexual assault. However, his account has since been reinstated.

Despite facing restrictions on social media platforms, Andrew Tate managed to amass a significant following, particularly among young men, by promoting a lifestyle that he presented as hyper-masculine and excessively luxurious.