Romanian Court Greenlights Trial of Andrew Tate on Rape and Human Trafficking Charges
In a significant legal development, the Bucharest Tribunal in Romania has sanctioned the commencement of a trial against influencer Andrew Tate, who faces allegations of human trafficking, rape, and the formation of a criminal gang aimed at the sexual exploitation of women. The decision, announced on Friday, confirms that the prosecutor’s case file against Tate satisfies the necessary legal benchmarks, although a trial date has yet to be determined, according to the AP.
Andrew Tate, a 37-year-old social media personality, was initially detained in December 2022 near Bucharest alongside his brother, Tristan Tate, and two Romanian women. All four were formally charged in June of the previous year and have since contested the accusations. In response to the recent court ruling, Tate’s legal representation immediately lodged an appeal, questioning the judge’s decision’s legal foundation.
Tate’s lawyer, Eugen Vidineac, criticized the ruling, arguing it was devoid of legal justification. Meanwhile, another attorney for the Tate brothers, Ioan Gliga, expressed confidence in the strength of their defense, particularly concerning the legality of the criminal investigation, which they believe was overlooked during preliminary hearings.
This legal controversy has captured widespread attention partly due to Tate’s significant online following—over 9.1 million on the platform formerly known as Twitter—and his contentious public persona. Tate, a former professional kickboxer and dual British-U.S. citizen, has been a polarizing figure, previously barred from several major social platforms for misogynistic remarks and hate speech.
As the case progresses, Tate remains under geographical constraints set by the Bucharest Tribunal, which restrict his movement within Romania, despite his requests for broader travel permissions within the European Union. This ruling comes amid separate legal challenges, including a U.K. extradition request linked to allegations of sexual aggression dating back to 2012-2015, which will only be addressed following the conclusion of his trials in Romania.
