Tate brothers officially indicted with trafficking and sex crimes in Romania

Romanian prosecutors have officially charged social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate with various trafficking and sex crimes, according to the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT). The duo are accused of generating over £888,000 through coercing a young girl to engage in sexual acts via video chats.

Andrew, 39, stands accused of trafficking minors, money laundering, and having sex with a minor, while Tristan, 38, faces charges of complicity in trafficking minors and money laundering. The Tates, who are currently detained in Miami awaiting extradition to the UK over separate allegations, vehemently deny all the accusations.

The pair, who are dual US and British citizens and have built a significant following on social media, have been under investigation in Romania since December 2022. They have resided in the country since 2017, where they cultivated a large audience through their portrayal of a luxurious lifestyle and misogynistic messages. Prosecutors claim that a vulnerable 15-year-old girl was recruited by Andrew and housed in a Luton, Bedfordshire building for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Tristan is alleged to have provided physical aggression to coerce the victim. Andrew is also accused of controlling her through surveillance and physical force, and of moving her to Romania to continue the exploitation in two of his residences. Additionally, he faces charges of having sex with the minor, aged 15, in Romania.

The Romanian authorities have also requested the confiscation of four of the brothers' high-value cars, valued at £710,000, alleging that money was laundered through their acquisition. DIICOT investigators have not yet decided whether to seek the extradition of the Tates from the US, and the indictment must be reviewed by a judge before any trial can commence.

The brothers have consistently denied all allegations, asserting that their online personas do not reflect their true selves. Their attorney in Romania, Eugen Constantin Vidineac, stated that the new indictment does not constitute guilt and that the case should not be viewed as such. He emphasized that the previous indictment faced judicial scrutiny due to significant irregularities, which prevented it from proceeding to trial.

The Tates' legal team maintains their right to the presumption of innocence and will challenge any deficiencies in the evidence or legal proceedings through the appropriate judicial process, awaiting the judge's examination of the indictment and the subsequent trial, should one be initiated.